Hazmat Response Underway After Nitric Acid Spill in Lookout Valley
Emergency crews responded early Saturday morning to a hazardous materials spill involving Nitric acid in the Lookout Valley area.
According to officials with the Chattanooga Fire Department, the incident began around 12:20 a.m. Saturday, March 7, when a driver traveling on Interstate 24 westbound called 911 to report a substance leaking from the back of a tractor-trailer and spilling onto the roadway and onto their vehicle.
The truck exited the interstate at Browns Ferry Road and continued to Brenntag Mid-South, Inc., a chemical facility located on Wauhatchie Pike.
Officials say the spill affected portions of the roadway between the interstate exit and the Brenntag facility. Hazmat crews were immediately dispatched to the scene, and an environmental cleanup company has been contracted by Brenntag to handle the cleanup at impacted locations.
Emergency units responding included Ladder 1, Engine 1, Squad 1, Hazmat 1, Battalion 1, Special Operations, and Squad 20.
Authorities say no injuries have been reported, and it remains unclear how much nitric acid leaked from the truck.
Road closures were put in place during the response, including the Interstate 24 westbound off-ramp at Browns Ferry Road and portions of Wauhatchie Pike.
Officials also confirmed the spill affected areas in Rossville Boulevard, where cleanup crews are working to remove the hazardous material.
Drivers in the area are urged to use caution and expect delays while cleanup operations continue.