UPDATE: Fuel truck tips over on US-41 in Hancock, clean-up continues

HANCOCK, Mich. (WLUC) - UPDATE: 10:00 p.m.: The Hancock Fire Department has lifted the evacuation order for residents in west Hancock.

Those residents are encouraged to return home. According to Michael Babcock, Communications Director for the Portage Health Foundation, air monitoring will continue in the area over the coming days.

Due to the petroleum release and the heavy equipment operating in the area, residents are requested to avoid the area if possible.

Detours along portions of US-41 will remain in place through at least Friday morning.

Through traffic is requested to use alternate routes, with northbound traffic following M-203 toward McLain State Park.

Southbound traffic will follow Airport Park Road through Dollar Bay.

It is unknown how much fuel may have spilled into the waterway.

Stay with tv6 for further updates.

UPDATE: 6:15 p.m.: Another update has been released regarding the gasoline spill in Hancock Friday morning and the continued clean-up.

The Hancock Fire Department says U.P. Environmental Services out of Bark River arrived on seen around 4:00 p.m. to remove the remaining standing gasoline that had been kept on Santori’s Corner by berms built by the Hancock Fire Department, Hancock Department of Public Works, Superior Sand and Gravel, and B&B Construction. Work on that is ongoing.

Around 5:00 p.m. the tanker was put upright and removed from the scene (a photo is below).

Air monitoring is in progress in the surrounding area by Mannik & Smith Group and TriMedia Environmental & Engineering.

Hancock Fire Department says some gasoline has gone into the storm sewer system, and ended up into the Portage Canal. Because of this, the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department, Michigan EGLE and the EPA have closed the Portage Canal and beaches. Read more about that here.

Many areas in the vicinity have been evacuated. Evacuations are still in place in west Hancock from Santori’s Corner on South Lincoln Drive (US-41) to Michigan Street, Michigan Street up to Elm Street and down to the Jutila Center, and Minnesota and Ohio Streets between Ethel Avenue and Michigan Street (see map below).

The next update, and final update for today, is expected at 8:00 p.m.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available. Even though the public is being asked to avoid the area, if you have photos or videos of the scene, even from earlier in the day, submit them on the TV6 News App or online here using the News album.

UPDATE 5:10 p.m.: More details surrounding the clean-up of the fuel tanker spill in Hancock have been released Thursday afternoon.

According to the Hancock Fire Department, the gasoline tanker, carrying about 8,500 gallons of gasoline, tipped over Santori’s Corner on US-41 at about 8:00 a.m. June 24.

“Currently, it is unknown how much spilled,” the fire department said in a release.

The fire department said here have been no injuries caused by the incident and spill, and that drinking water has not been affected.

Hancock Fire Department says some gasoline has gone into the storm sewer system, and ended up into the Portage Canal. Because of this, the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department, Michigan EGLE and the EPA have closed the Portage Canal and beaches. Read more about that here.

Many areas in the vicinity have been evacuated. Evacuations are in place in west Hancock from Santori’s Corner on South Lincoln Drive (US-41) to Michigan Street, Michigan Street up to Elm Street and down to the Jutila Center, and Minnesota and Ohio Streets between Ethel Avenue and Michigan Street (see map below).

“It is currently unknown when residents will be allowed to return to their homes,” the fire department said. “An update on that will be given by 8:00 p.m. tonight.” or sooner if possible.

Through traffic is requested to use alternative routes, with northbound traffic asked to follow M-203 toward McLain State Park and southbound traffic asked to take Airport Park Road through Dollar Bay, the fire department said. The department said this especially true for tractor trailers.

Local traffic is open, and White Street in Hancock is currently open to two-way traffic because of the incident. Traffic is not expected to return to normal until late Thursday night at the soonest. There is a potential it will be closed overnight, possibly affecting the morning commute, the fire department said.

More information on the current state of operations is expected around 5:30 p.m.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available. Even though the public is being asked to avoid the area, if you have photos or videos of the scene, even from earlier in the day, submit them on the TV6 News App or online here using the News album.

UPDATE 12:55 p.m.: Clean-up is ongoing in Hancock after a fuel truck tipped over on its side Thursday morning at Santori’s Corner on US-41.

Traffic is still being rerouted along US-41. The area is expected to be closed down for the next several hours. Northbound traffic is being rerouted to M-203. Southbound traffic is being rerouted to Airport Park Road and then to M-26.

A firefighter on scene tells TV6′s Jesse Wiederhold that personnel is spraying foam onto the spill, to help blanket the fuel and keep the fumes contained.

The firefighter did say that some gasoline has gone into the storm sewer system, and ended up into the Portage Canal. Because of this, the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department and EPA have closed the Portage Canal and beaches. Read more about that here.

As of Noon, fuel has been cleared out from inside the tanker, officials said. This will allow the truck to be turned back to it’s normal position.

The Hancock City Fire Department and Quincy Franklin Hancock Township Fire are on the scene, along with Hancock Police, Houghton County Sheriff’s Office and Michigan State Police. Additional departments, along with EPA personnel, are also assisting at the scene.

This morning, homes were evacuated from Ohio and Michigan Streets up to Summit Street and along Ethel Avenue to Ingot Street. Those still needing shelter can meet at the Church of Resurrection.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available. If you have photos or videos of the scene, submit them on the TV6 News App or online here using the News album.

TV6′s Jesse Wiederhold is still on the scene. Check out his Facebook live coverage below.

11:51 a.m. Facebook Live Update:

ORIGINAL STORY: Evacuations are underway in Hancock after a fuel truck tipped over on its side this morning at Santori’s Corner on US-41.

Homes are being evacuated from Ohio and Michigan Streets up to Summit Street and along Ethel Ave. to Ingot Street. Those needing shelter can meet at the Church of Resurrection.

Traffic is being rerouted along US-41. The area is expected to be closed down for the next several hours.

Northbound traffic is being rerouted to M-203. Southbound traffic is being rerouted to Airport Park Road and then to M-26.

The Hancock City Fire Department and Quincy Franklin Hancock Township Fire are on the scene, along with Hancock Police, Houghton County Sheriff’s Office and Michigan State Police.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available. If you have photos or videos of the scene, submit them on the TV6 News App or online here using the News album.

TV6′s Jesse Wiederhold is on the scene. Check out his Facebook live coverage below.

9:18 a.m. Facebook Live Update:

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