An environmental cleanup is underway at Horne Lake after a backhoe mishap Wednesday that took down a hydro pole and three transformers.
Rob deBortoli, the city's interim CAO, said a mineral oil substance from the transformers spilled onto the road and some of it made its way into the stormwater system that feeds into the lake.
DeBortoli said the backhoe, which belongs to a contractor, was working on the ongoing HIllside Drive project Wednesday when it inadvertently caught overhead communications cables, which pulled down a hydro pole and brought the live transformers with it. The incident resulted in a power outage which has been resolved.
"We're just very, very fortunate that there was no fatality in that incident," said deBortoli.
DeBortoli said Ontario Hydro called in the cleanup, which is being conducted by response team from GFL. The city has closed trails in the area to public use to allow the GFL work to be completed.
He said there is not believed to be any threat to public health or the environment from the spill.
"It's just all precautionary measures being taken," said DeBortoli.
ElliotLakeToday has reached out to the Ministry of the Environment and will update this story when more information is available.