Fox Lake emergency crews cleaning chemical spill in creek

Fox Lake Fire Department officials are working to identify and clean up a liquid chemical material found floating on the surface of Squaw Creek, officials said Friday.

The hazardous material spill was found just upstream from the Squaw Bar, 800 Rollins Road, in unincorporated Ingleside, and Capt. Rich Hoehne said officials are trying to determine if it was dumped there or leaked into the water nearby.

The spill appeared to be contained to the creek and does not seem to pose a health hazard, officials said.

The fire department was dispatched to the site about 9 p.m. Thursday when some people complained about a gasoline smell. Officials noticed a sheen on the water, which indicated a chemical spill in the creek that connects Long Lake to the Chain O' Lakes. Officials believe the liquid is diesel gas or oil.

"We put up the white absorbent booms and called in environmental services to look things over," Hoehne said. "Right now, we are still trying to determine what exactly is on the water and where it's coming from."

He said the spill seems to be contained between the dam of Long Lake to the tavern on Rollins. Still unclear is how much was spilled, and when it will be cleaned up.

Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Conservation District, the Fox Waterway Agency and Lake County Emergency Management Agency were called in to assist.

"There has not been a fish kill at this point, but obviously we want to get the substance out of there," Hoehne said. "We are trying to find the source and working to stop it from spreading."

Kent McKenzie, director of the Lake County Emergency Management Agency, said the spill is not a hazard to life-safety, but something that needs to be cleaned up to protect the environment.

"It seems to be contained at this point so we are trying to pull the chemical off the surface," McKenzie said. "Then, next week, we'll be out looking to uncover where it's coming from."