A semi-truck carrying approximately 40,000 pounds of Frank's RedHot sauce spilled its contents onto Interstate 71 in Delaware County, Ohio, last week during an intense heatwave.
The truck began leaking the condiment while traveling north, leaving a substantial red trail on the road. The driver eventually pulled into a truck stop, where fire crews traced the source of the leak. Fire Chief Chris Kovach of the Berkshire, Sunbury, Trenton & Galena Fire District confirmed the substance was Frank's RedHot.
Due to the sauce's acidity, authorities deemed it a potential environmental risk if it entered waterways. Crews implemented containment protocols and used hazmat materials to prevent the spill from reaching drains. The trucking company is responsible for arranging a professional cleanup.
"A lot of people were shocked, and obviously they see a humorous side of it, but on the flip side of that is, there are some cars, a lot of vehicles that may have potentially been damaged," Kovach told the Columbus Dispatch. He added, "My understanding is this is very hard to clean off."
One driver reported spending $30 on car washes without success in removing the sticky residue. The incident occurred as much of Ohio experienced triple-digit temperatures.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol has the authority to issue a citation to the trucking company, though none have been issued yet. Lt. Robert Curry of the patrol noted that drivers whose vehicles sustained damage may seek compensation through their insurance.