LENOIR CITY, TN- On Thursday evening around 4:40 PM (eastern time), Loudon County Sheriff’s Officers, Loudon County EMA, Loudon County Fire/Rescue, Tennessee EMA, and other area first responders were on the scene of the TA Truck Stop on Watt Road with a semi-truck that was leaking hazardous material.
Around 6:30 PM the truck stop was evacuated. TEMA crews were working to relieve pressure in the truck, which was caused by the liquid leaking from the truck turning into a gas when it came into contact with air. The officials told TDOT to be prepared to close I-40/I-75 as it would fall into a potential contamination zone. However, the Knox County crew brought sand to the site and the THP added around 9:20 PM that the hazard material had been contained.
According to officials, the leak came from a container of peroxyacetic acid.