A mixture of blood and embalming fluid leaked from a storage tank at a Louisiana funeral home Thursday onto a street.
The bizarre sight of blood mixed with formaldehyde seeping onto the road took place outside of Greenoaks Funeral Home in Baton Rouge, the Daily Mail reported.
The mixture reportedly came from a storage tank for excess embalming fluid behind the funeral home. One of the valves contained a blockage, causing the fluid mixture to leak for approximately 20 minutes.
Officials with the city of Baton Rouge’s Department of Environmental Services told WBRZ that the incident occurred on private property and did not yet reach the city’s sewer system.
The city’s environmental workers investigated the incident and reported their findings to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, the Advocate reported.
The funeral home released a statement apologizing for “any inconvenience” the incident may have caused to cemetery visitors.
“As soon as we noticed it, we were able to immediately stop the leak, clean and disinfect the area,” the statement said. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused visitors to our cemetery.”
City officials say the funeral home is under new management and does not have a permit with the Department of Environmental Services. It is unclear whether the funeral home will face penalties for this incident.
Adam Smith, an official with the city’s Department of Environmental Services, said the department has been focusing on approving permits for restaurants recently but is working to get the funeral home to apply for a permit.
Workers with the funeral home cleaned up the spillage shortly after discovering the leak.