From Our News Partner WGNS Murfreesboro:

Overturned Tractor Trailer on I-24, Smoke Plume Shelter in Place

Published: December 14, 2016

An overturned tractor trailer on I-24 westbound at mile marker 87 has created a hazmat situation.(NOTE: The 87 mile marker is between Joe B. Jackson Parkway and Buchanan exit).

A five-mile stretch of the interstate has been blocked by the crash that occurred early Wednesday morning.

Rutherford County Emergency Management is asking nearby residents to shelter in place (see map for area). Officials are asking residents there to stay in doors, turn off HVAC heat and air and wait on officials to give an all clear.

EVACUATION

Residents in the Buchanan Estates area, Cliffside Road, Ridgewood Road need to evacuate the area immediately. Do not take 1-24 to leave the area. Evacuating downwind area.

NOTE: Patterson Park in Murfreesboro will be used as an emergency shelter.

Patterson Park
521 Mercury Blvd
Murfreesboro, TN 37130

SHELTER IN PLACE

Residents who live in Buchanan Estates off the 89-mile marker of Interstate 24 are asked to shelter in place because of chemicals from a tractor-trailer fire at the 87-mile marker. The chemicals are dangerous. Roads affected include Epps Mill Road, Miller Road, Capitol Way, Rankin Road and Aldridge Road and near the Dollar General store.

Rutherford County Sheriff’s deputies are in the area using a public address system to warn residents.

The wreck was reported just after 3:00 o’clock Wednesday morning (12/14/2016) and a plume of hazardous smoke has caused the shelter in place to be issued. Westbound I-24 (toward Nashville) has been closed and is expected to stay that way until at least 8am.

RUTHERFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS

We have been in contact with the Rutherford County sheriff’s office and the emergency management agency and have been advised there is no reason to close any schools at this time. The hazardous materials fire is not expected to affect any schools directly. However, there are some residential areas who have been told to shelter in their homes, and those parents should follow the instructions of the emergency personnel.

Bus routes will not be run at this time in those areas affected by the sheltering procedures, and as such, students should not be left at bus stops if your neighborhood has been instructed to take shelter.

The school district will release additional information, as needed, concerning schools or bus routes. But again, no schools are being closed at this time because of the hazardous materials fire in the Epps Mill Road area, under the recommendation of emergency response officials.