Ship leaks hazardous material at California dock, 13 injured

A 6,000-gallon container on a ship leaked a hazardous liquid, propyl acetate, primarily used as a solvent.

Twelve dock workers and a firefighter sustained minor to mild injuries after a container ship leaked a hazardous material in the Port of Long Beach.

Long Beach Fire Department firefighters, after boarding a ship in the Port of Long Beach on Sunday, where they treated workers for exposure to some hazardous material fumes. (AP)

City Fire Department spokesman Brian Fisk said a 6,000-gallon container on the Harbour Bridge ship began leaking the liquid on Sunday.

The Coast Guard identified the liquid as propyl acetate, primarily used as a solvent. It was unclear how much spilled or what caused the leak.

Fisk said the leak was contained and a 1,000-foot perimeter was established as a precaution.

Eleven dock workers were treated for minor injuries at the scene while one was taken to a hospital with mild injuries. A firefighter was injured in a fall at the scene.

Local and federal officials are investigating the spill and monitoring cleanup efforts.