ChaosSurvivalist
Contributing Member
Cleanup could take 'days' after massive chemical spill, fire on I-24 in Chattanooga forces evacuations overnight
by Katie Carter, Bliss Zechman
Thu, August 3rd 2023, 11:43 PM EDT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 90%
9
VIEW ALL PHOTOS
Semi-truck fire causes evacuations, shuts down I-24 Thursday night
0
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — (UPDATE: 5:00 a.m.)
The Chattanooga Fire Department gave a major update just before 5:00 a.m. Friday.
CFD says Incident Command has deemed the scene safe after a fire and chemical spill near McBrien Road and South Terrace Road in Brainerd shut down large parts of I-24 and forced resident evacuations Thursday night.
Officials say as of 5:00 a.m., Interstate 24 has reopened and families are able to return to their homes.
However, CFD says South Terrace between McBrien Road and Spring Creek Road will remained closed, along with the Eastgate shopping center.
CFD also says cleanup at the site will be ongoing for several days.
This is the second accident in Chattanooga involving hazardous materials in 3 days. Wednesday evening, Highway 153 closed after a truck crashed and spilled organic peroxide.
UPDATE @ 2:04 AM:
A tractor trailer hauling organic peroxide and sodium hydroxide was on fire, sparking a major hazmat response.
In addition to the burning semi trailer, the liquid chemicals the truck was hauling were also on fire in the parking lot.
Semi-truck fire causes evacuations, shuts down I-24 Thursday night
Once first responders learned what products they were dealing with, evacuations of surrounding homes and businesses began.
When organic peroxide and sodium hydroxide burn, they release vapors that could be harmful and could cause skin irritation and respiratory issues.
Semi-truck fire causes evacuations, shuts down I-24 Thursday night
Due to the fire, a mandatory evacuation was ordered for the residents within a half mile radius of the fire’s location
A crash truck from the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport responded to the scene with a piercing nozzle that punctured the trailer and injected foam into the truck to knock the fire down.
In addition, TDOT brought 80 tons of dirt to stop any runoff as officials continue working to address environmental concerns.
The EPA is headed to the scene to oversee the cleanup process.
Semi-truck fire causes evacuations, shuts down I-24 Thursday night
This is an ongoing hazmat response requiring a collective effort from several local emergency agencies and information will be released as it becomes available.
First responders are working as quickly as possible to return residents to a sense of normalcy. The public’s safety is top priority.
PREVIOUSLY:
Local fire, EMS, and law enforcement agencies are currently managing a chemical fire on McBrien Road near the RAVE theater just off of I-24, that's according to a release from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
Because of this fire a mandatory evacuation has been ordered for everyone in a half mile radius. A map detailing a half-mile radius has been attached.
Semi-truck fire causes evacuations, shuts down I-24 Thursday night
They tell us the Brainerd Recreation Center on North Moore Road has been opened for those in need. For those who are unable to leave their homes due to mobility issues, please call (423) 209-5404 and request assistance.
The East Ridge Fire Department is the lead agency responding to this incident. They say all individuals should remain out of the area until further notice and to expect major traffic delays.
PREVIOUSLY:
I-24 in East Ridge is shut down tonight as fire crews and hazmat teams deal with a semi-truck fire in the area.
Semi-truck fire shuts down I-24 Thursday night
This is in the area under construction near McBrien Road.
TDOT says due to a chemical spill, I-24 will be closed in both directions between 4th Ave and the I-75 split. They warn this will be an extended closure.
Dump trucks with sand arrived just before midnight to aid in the clean-up.
TDOT says semi trucks should detour using Highway 153 to US 27.
WTVC's Jaclyn Davis is on scene right now with the latest.
She tells us mayor Tim Kelly has opened the Brainerd Community Center at 1010 North Moore Road to anyone being evacuated and needing a place to go.
We are working to learn more.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION (
0
)
Depend on us as we continue to follow this developing situation.
