A Chemical Spill At The Public Works Compound On St. Croix Has Been Contained, Public Works Says; Employees Dismissed For The Day

ST. CROIX — At about noon today, the Virgin Islands Fire Department’s HAZMAT team issued an all-clear for the vicinity surrounding the Department of Public Works Anna’s Hope Compound, after the team found spilled hydraulic fluid and pesticides on the premises, D.P.W. made known via release Wednesday afternoon.

Traffic had been rerouted through Constitution Hill from the Beeston Hill area, as first responders worked to contain the spill and prevent any potential dangers from affecting members of the community. Police were also stationed near Carlos Furniture across from Cost U Less rerouting east-bound traffic.

According to the release, earlier today Public Works employees noticed an odor emanating throughout the main building at the St. Croix Anna’s Hope Complex. It was later determined that the scent originated from the equipment maintenance area of the compound and was caused by a chemical spill. DPW personnel immediately notified VITEMA and a HAZMAT team subsequently arrived on the scene to further examine the cause, the release said.

All employees at the Anna’s Hope Complex were dismissed for the day. Police personnel cordoned off the area and redirected traffic. However, traffic flow has since been normalized.