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Ghostbusters-like substance found oozing onto Metro Detroit road - and no one knows why

MELVINDALE, Mich. – A mysterious substance has been found coming out of the ground in Melvindale, and nobody can seem to figure out where it is.

Residents downriver are wondering if the material bubbling out of the ground near the Marathon refinery is from the rain.

It's oozing onto the street at Schaefer Highway between Oakwood Boulevard and I-75. Melvindale police and officials from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department investigated the substance, and the road was shut down.

"They want the whole road shut down right now until we can figure out exactly what's going on," a Melvindale police officer said at the scene.

The smelly, foamy mess erupted out of the ground along the highway near the refinery. Marathon told Melvindale police the substance has nothing to do with the refinery.

Melvindale police said the substance oozed onto the road last week, so the street sweepers cleaned it up. This time, inspectors were called to the scene.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has been notified of the situation.

The substance was sent for testing. The investigation is ongoing.

Strange foam bubbling from the ground in SW Detroit.

Posted by WDIV Local 4 / ClickOnDetroit on Tuesday, July 31, 2018

About the Authors
Derick Hutchinson headshot

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.

Ken Haddad headshot

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.

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