FIREFIGHTERS spent two hours cleaning up an oil spill after 45-gallon drums were dumped.
The four drums, which were left at the rear of Mannion Court, South Bank, near Middlesbrough, were knocked over, spreading a 300m pool over the road, late on Monday.
Cleveland fire crews called in the Environment Agency to help prevent the used engine oil from leaking into drains, and used absorbent pads to mop up the spillage.
Station officer Trevor Moody said: "It was a very reckless thing to do, both by the people who left the drums there and the people who tipped them over. Some oil did enter the drains but we did absorb a lot of it. It could have been much worse, but it was bad enough.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article