Police and fire crews cordoned off a road close to Grays town centre for several hours on Saturday after a mystery substance came up from the drains.
Cromwell Road was shut from its junction with Orsett Road in the town north to Stuart Road at just after 10am - stranding many shoppers' cars in a nearby car park.
On Saturday morning a spokesman for Essex Police said it was "believed to have been an industrial discharge".
Expert analysis was carried out during the morning and the substance was found to be harmless.
More on Business In Essex
Published Monday, March 11, 2002
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article