Fire crews are helping to mop up diesel which was spilled over a busy Whitechapel road after a trailer overturned.
Two fire crews and around ten fire fighters were called out at 12.50pm after the industrial trailer tipped over at the junction of the busy Mile End Road with Cambridge Heath Road.
No-one was hurt when the mobile diesel pump shot out of the back of a truck after the driver was forced to carry out an emergency stop.
The pump contained 500 litres of the liquid, which spilled onto the road and pavement edge.
Traffic was diverted through one lane of Mile End Road, towards Whitechapel, while fighter fighters laid down special mats to soak up the liquid and prevent it entering the drains.
Bod Green, from Red Watch Plaistow, said: “Diesel isn’t dangerously flamable but the main concern is it pouring down the drains. It’s an environmental issue so we’ve contacted the Environment Agency.”
Transport for London said the lane would remain closed until the diesel had been soaked up.
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