Hazmat Spill Forces Emergency Evacuation in Trion Wednesday Night

Chattanooga, Tenn. —

Residents of Trion, Georgia were plunged into an unexpected disruption late Wednesday evening when an anhydrous ammonia leak necessitated emergency evacuations and vehicular rerouting. The spill occurred on a truck bound for Mount Vernon Mills forcing roads to be blocked and houses bordering the mills to be evacuated.

Anhydrous Ammonia Leak and Response

Authorities were alerted to the emergency around 10 p.m. on Wednesday when a tractor trailer carrying ammonia to Mount Vernon Mills was found to be leaking the chemical. The Chattanooga Fire Department’s Hazmat 1, their Special Operations Division, and the Hamilton County Hazmat Team responded in solidarity to the incident. Additionally, local fire departments from Trion, Summerville, Teloga, Gore, Walker, and Hayes were at the forefront of handling the situation.

Evacuations and Traffic Restructuring

As a safety measure, all households in the vicinity of the mill were immediately evacuated, and every adjacent road was closed temporarily. Authorities quickly rolled out efforts to temporarily relocate the evacuated residents. The Trion First Baptist Church and the local recreation center served as temporary refuge points for the displaced populace.

Law enforcement officers were also stationed at vital points throughout Trion to manage traffic and divert it away from the affected area at the mill. The meticulous and swift response of the various teams ensured that the leak was properly contained by 12:15 a.m. on Thursday, allowing evacuated residents to safely return to their homes.

Mount Vernon Mills Response

Mount Vernon Mills released an official statement acknowledging the incident – “Last night around 9:15 p.m. an Airgas tanker experienced a leak as they were delivering anhydrous ammonia to Mount Vernon Mills. The emergency safety alarms were triggered and emergency personnel were notified. The coordinated efforts of the Trion Fire Department with other emergency personnel ensured the leak was contained and stopped quickly, resulting in no injuries.”

The statement commended the quick response and efficient performance of the Trion, Summerville, Teloga, Gore, Walker, and Hayes Fire Departments, as well as the Chattanooga Fire Department Hazmat I, Special Operations Division, and the Hamilton County Hazmat Team. Mount Vernon’s management team was also applauded for their quick resolution in ensuring the safety of their employees.

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