This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-25686048

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
West Virginia chemical spill creates water warning West Virginia chemical spill creates water warning
(35 minutes later)
About 300,000 people in the US state of West Virginia have been warned not to drink tap water after a chemical spill into a river near the state capital.About 300,000 people in the US state of West Virginia have been warned not to drink tap water after a chemical spill into a river near the state capital.
The water advisory closed schools and businesses in nine counties, and cancelled a state legislative session.The water advisory closed schools and businesses in nine counties, and cancelled a state legislative session.
A foaming agent used in the coal preparation process leaked from a tank at Freedom Industries on Thursday.A foaming agent used in the coal preparation process leaked from a tank at Freedom Industries on Thursday.
Officials said it was unclear how dangerous the spill was but had declared a water advisory to be safe. Officials said it was unclear how dangerous the spill was but they declared a water advisory to be safe.
"Until we get out and flush the actual system and do more testing, we can't say how long this will last at this time," water company president Jeff McIntyre told the Associated Press news agency. President Barack Obama has accepted West Virginia's request for a disaster declaration, which allows federal aid to be used.
"This has been devastating to the public at large and to the people that live in our city," Charleston Mayor Danny Jones said at a press conference on Friday. Jeff McIntyre, president of West Virginia American Water, told the Associated Press news agency: "Until we get out and flush the actual system and do more testing, we can't say how long this will last at this time.
Charleston Mayor Danny Jones said at a press conference on Friday the spill had been "devastating to the public at large and to the people that live in our city".
Freedom Industries has said the chemical, 4-methylcyclohexane methanol, could be harmful if swallowed and cause skin and eye irritation.Freedom Industries has said the chemical, 4-methylcyclohexane methanol, could be harmful if swallowed and cause skin and eye irritation.
In a statement, the firm said it was working with local and federal officials and "following all necessary steps to fix the issue".In a statement, the firm said it was working with local and federal officials and "following all necessary steps to fix the issue".
President Barack Obama has accepted West Virginia's request for a disaster declaration, which allows federal aid to be used.
The West Virginia National Guard planned on Friday to deliver bottled water to emergency services.The West Virginia National Guard planned on Friday to deliver bottled water to emergency services.
At a store in Charleston, the state capital, a police officer stood guard as shoppers stocked up on bottled water, according to the Charleston Gazette newspaper. At a store in Charleston, the state capital, a police officer stood guard as shoppers stocked up on bottled water on Thursday evening, according to the Charleston Gazette newspaper.
"People have been grabbing it like crazy," Kerstin Halstead told the Gazette. "Some people were getting - well, they could have shared more.""People have been grabbing it like crazy," Kerstin Halstead told the Gazette. "Some people were getting - well, they could have shared more."
The spill was first found after the state's environmental protection department received a report of a strange odour near the Elk river on Thursday.The spill was first found after the state's environmental protection department received a report of a strange odour near the Elk river on Thursday.
Officials found a leaking storage unit, a spokesman said. The spill had overrun a containment area and leaked into the river.Officials found a leaking storage unit, a spokesman said. The spill had overrun a containment area and leaked into the river.
While the leaking container held at least 40,000 gallons (182,000 litres), state environmental officials were "confident that no more than 5,000 gallons escaped", spokesman Tom Aluise said. While the leaking container held at least 40,000 gallons (182,000 litres), state environmental official Tom Aluise said they were "confident" that no more than 5,000 gallons escaped.