Hundreds evacuated following Blount County train fire(Photo: WBIR-TV)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — At least 5,000 people were being evacuated Thursday morning following a
train fire in Blount County, authorities said.
Around midnight a train fire was reported near Old Mt. Tabor Road, which is located off Highway 321, just west of the Foothills Mall. The train was carrying Acrylonitrile, which is a flammable and poisonous liquid.
Mandatory evacuations of a nearby apartment complex started around 12:30 a.m. and it includes a two mile radius.
The Red Cross is setting up a shelter at Heritage High School for those who do not have a place to stay while the evacuations are in effect. We are told by the Blount County Sheriff's Department that these evacuations may be in effect for 24 to 48 hours.
According to the EPA's web site, Acrylonitrile is primarily used in the manufacture of acrylic and modacrylic fibers. It known to cause mucous membrane irritation, headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
We do have a crew on the scene and will continue to update this story throughout the morning.
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