Sewage Spill Causes FD Response

On Tues. 4/23/13 at 4:09pm Mohegan Fire was dispatched to the Big Lots store on East Main St in Cortlandt for a possible hazmat spill. Upon arrival of units, a green liquid was found spilling from an overflowing sewer. Due to the nature of the spill, the Westchester County Health Dept was notified. It was quickly determined that the spill was a sewage backup and the green liquid was dye that was added to the water. Once deemed safe, members dammed the spill in the rear loading dock area with speedy dry to prevent any raw sewage from entering a stream in the rear. While members were on scene , an environmental waste contractor, which was sent prior to the FD response, arrived to pump the sewer, which has been overflowing and has been an ongoing problem for 2 days. Members cleared the scene by 6pm, once the spill was contained. Also assisting on scene was Cortandt Highway Dept. Pictures courtesy of Lt. Gravius.