Officials identify liquid that spilled on Columbia street

Columbia officials have identified an unknown substance that was leaking from a container causing traffic to be temporarily shut down Thursday.

A small amount of sulphuric acid leaked out of a container in an area near the intersection of College and Walnut streets.

More than 10 units responded to the spill.

The acid was cleaned up, and fire officials called in hazardous materials crews.

Officials said they wanted to take as much precaution as possible, because they had no idea what the liquid was.

“Any time we get dispatched to a call for an unknown liquid or something that’s considered or could be considered a hazardous material, we get a full box assignment with a lot of apparatus regardless the amount of liquid or substance involved,” said Columbia Fire Battalion Chief Brad Frazier.

The leak was reported around 3:30 and traffic was temporarily shut down near the intersection.