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Oil Seep Shuts Traffic On Huntington Beach Street

HUNTINGTON BEACH (AP) — Crude oil has seeped from beneath a busy street in Huntington Beach, forming a dark puddle that has halted traffic.

John Thomas, a local oil well operator assisting with the clean-up, told the Orange County Register Friday that roughly 10 barrels of oil have pooled on Goldenwest Street south of Ellis Avenue.

A hazardous materials specialist is monitoring the airborne chemicals produced by the oil, which appears to have seeped from a pipeline beneath the road.

Southbound traffic on the street was halted after the incident was reported early Friday.

Officials are investigating the cause of the seep.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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