W. Montrose Avenue Reopened After Closing for Possible Fuel Spill

West Montrose Avenue was closed this evening between Clark Street and Hillside Place, as authorities investigated what appears to be a fuel spill in the brook that flows along Meadowbrook Place and through the park. 

South Orange police and fire, along with West Orange fire, and the Nutley Haz-Mat team were on the scene to assess the situation.

A South Orange Health Department officer at the scene told Patch the fuel spill was most likely the result of someone cleaning their lawnmower, snowblower or leaf blower and posed no threat. The Haz-Mat team and county official also at the scene had left by approximately 7:10 p.m., according to eyewitnesses.

The brook, bounded by Army Corps of Engineers retaining walls, is part of the Rahway River. The water flows through Meadowland Park, beside the Community Garden and New Waterlands fields, and into Maplewood.

The story will be updated as more information becomes available.