Willow Street has been shut down in both directions between the 605 Freeway and Studebaker Road, as the Long Beach Fire Department is responding to reports of hazardous materials at the Long Beach Water Reclamation Plant.
The Willow Street offramp of the southbound 605 Freeway has also been shut down as a result of the incident.
Fire crews responded to the scene at approximately 9:45 a.m., according to department spokesperson Jack Crabtree.
A chemical delivered to the plant this morning was filled into the wrong tank, leading to a chemical reaction that produced potentially harmful chlorine gas, according to Bryan Langpap, spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sanitation Department, which owns and operates the plant.
Hazmat crews are at the scene to measure the levels of chlorine gas at the site. So far, “the levels appear to be safe,” Langpap said.
The Long Beach Water Reclamation Plant, located at 7400 Willow St., treats approximately 18 million gallons of wastewater per day, turning it into disinfected tertiary recycled or reclaimed water, which can be used to water parks, golf courses, cemeteries and athletic fields, recharge the groundwater basin or clean streets.
This story will be updated.