MURFREESBORO, TN (WSMV) – A fiery semi crash in Rutherford County has forced some residents to evacuate because of toxic chemicals in the air.  The sheriff’s office says dangerous chlorine-based chemicals are burning at mile marker 87, which is just north of the exit for Epps Mill Road.

About 150 homes in the Buchanan Estates neighborhood were evacuated Wednesday morning. Everyone is said to be safe, but it could be at least six hours before everyone is cleared to go home because crews are still fighting the flames.  Evacuees can go to a shelter that has been set up at Patterson Park Community Center on Mercury Boulevard in Murfreesboro.

A shelter-in-place warning was issued for areas within a mile of the location on Wednesday morning. Residents in the affected areas were urged to keep their windows and doors closed, turn off their HVAC units and bring their pets inside. The roads included in this warning were Epps Mill Road, Miller Road, Capital Way, Ridgewood Drive and Cliffside Drive.

Tim Hooker, assistant director of Rutherford County EMA, is urging drivers not to take I-24. Both directions are closed at this time, and it could be at least six hours before the road reopens.

The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office is urging drivers who are stuck in traffic to stay in their cars and not get out. Right now, the Tennessee Highway Patrol is working to turn around tractor-trailers and reroute them.  The crash that caused the fire involved two semis and happened just after 3 a.m. Wednesday. One driver was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  At this time, no one has been hospitalized for respiratory-related issues. Hooker is advising anyone who feels their health is being affected to go to the doctor.