Rutherford County Chemical Fire: Semi Carrying Pool Supplies Wrecks, Forces Road Closures and Evacuation

CHRISTIANA, TN — A semi-truck carrying pool supplies wrecked along Interstate 24 early Wednesday morning, catching fire and creating a mile-long toxic cloud that forced the evacuation of nearby homes.

The semi left the interstate after hitting another truck near mile marker 89 and the Epps Mill Road exit at 3:10 Wednesday morning. It then struck the tree line and caught fire, igniting the chemicals stored inside. People living in the nearby Buchanan Estates subdivision were told to shelter in place initially, but were evacuated around 6:20 a.m.. The interstate was shut down in both directions at the Joe B. Jackson Parkway exit. Initially, the Tennessee Department of Transportation officials expected to lift the closure around 10 a.m.; however, at a 9 a.m. news conference, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office said it would likely be at least six hours until the situation was returned to normal. Officials said it is safer to let the fire burn off instead of treating it with more foam or water, which could exacerbate the cloud, though they did pour more water on the still-burning big rig around noon. Helicopters have been ordered out of the area for fears their rotators may worsen the situation.

One of the drivers in the wreck was taken to St. Thomas Rutherford in Murfreesboro with non-life-threatening injuries.

Emergency officials poured large amounts of water on the fire, which reinforced the plume of toxic chemicals. Winds out of the north pushed that cloud to the south.

Rutherford County Schools did not expect to close any schools as a result, but did cancel bus routes into the effected area and urged parents to keep their children home if they live in the vicinity of the crash. A shelter for evacuated families was established at Patterson Park Community Center in Murfreesboro.

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