Chemical leak in West Virginia

President Barack Obama declared a state of emergency in West Virginia , after a chemical leak forced authorities to close schools and businesses , while 300 thousand people were advised not to drink water from the tap .

Chemical substance used in the coal industry , was shed in Elk River , the capital of the Carlestonit .

Authorities in West Virginia advised residents not to drink water , not washed , not cook or wash clothes with tap water . Meanwhile , efforts began to disperse bottles filled with water .

Attorney General in the area said that federal authorities began an investigation to discover the cause of a chemical . The governor of Carlestonit , Danny Jones , said during a press conference Friday that "leakage was shocking to the public and all people living in the surrounding towns ."

The company " Freedom INDASTRIZ " , in a statement , explained that Metilciklohekzan methanol can be harmful if ingested and can cause irritation to skin and eyes .

Leakage is the first to be discovered , after the Department of Environmental Protection received reports of an odor in Elk River . The container , which was shed from the chemical content , contained 182 thousand liters , while under an environmental officer " no more than 18 thousand liters were spilled into the river