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Editor's note: This story was originally published at 12 p.m. Monday, July 20, and has been updated to reflect the full reopening of Duke Street confirmed by the Alexandria Fire Department at 5:12 p.m.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A hazardous materials incident involving an unknown caustic substance closed westbound Duke Street in Alexandria for most of Monday, prompting a multi-hour response from the Alexandria Fire Department before the road fully reopened at 5:12 p.m.
The Alexandria Fire Department responded at 8:09 a.m. to the 5300 block of Duke Street after an unknown white powder substance was reported. The material was tested and determined to be caustic in nature, but the exact product was not identified. The source of the spill remains under investigation, AFD said.
Alexandria Police closed westbound Duke Street between S. Pickett Street and N. Paxton Street shortly after the incident was reported, alerting motorists at 8:36 a.m. to avoid the area and expect delays. By 10:34 a.m., one westbound lane had reopened as crews finished cleaning the roadway.
AFD confirmed at 5:12 p.m. that the scene had been fully cleared, the caustic substance safely cleaned up and Duke Street reopened to traffic in both directions.
No injuries were reported. The cause of the spill remains under investigation.
