***The westbound lanes were re-opened at approximately 12 p.m. Eastbound lanes remain closed. Police hope to have all lanes reopened by 4 p.m.***
Ontario Provincial Police closed a major portion of Highway 401 after a tanker truck carrying jet fuel rolled and spilled onto the road.
The crash happened around 1:40 a.m. on Sunday.
All eastbound and westbound lanes were closed between Townline Road and Highway 6 South Sunday morning.
Police say the closure is a safety precaution so the fuel does not ignite.
OPP Constable Robert Visconti says "our main concern is that the jet fuel will catch on fire."
The Ministry of Environment has been notified of the incident. There are no concerns at this time of any long-term effects of the fuel spill into the ground below.
"From what I understand, it was a double tanker truck carrying 50,000 litres of jet fuel, which spilled as the truck rolled over," says Visconti. "So now, we have 50,000 litres of jet fuel spilled onto the eastbound and westbound lanes of Highway 401."
— Sgt Kerry Schmidt (@OPP_HSD) January 13, 2019
401 shutdown both directions from Townline to the 6s due to a tractor trailer rollover. Still no estimated time to reopen. @570NEWS @570traffic pic.twitter.com/shI2CKJzLM
— Phi Doan (@that_phidoan) January 13, 2019
Visconti says the highway is expected to be closed for several hours.
Police say minor injuries were reported in the crash.
Tune into 570 NEWS for more on this developing story, and follow us on Twitter @570traffic.
CLOSURE UPDATE: OPP say lanes are now closed EB/WB 401, between HWY 6 S and TOWNLINE only. https://t.co/ghbenhRJqi
— 570 Traffic (@570traffic) January 13, 2019