After an afternoon explosion and heavy smoke brought a host of emergency responders to the Wacker plant at Charleston, the situation flared back up on Thursday night. However, officials later said it appeared there was no new threat.
Officials said shortly before 9 p.m. that first responders on the scene "have determined a subsequent change of events unfolding at Wacker."
James Bradford of the Bradley County Sheriff's Office said, "Emergency personnel are continuing to address this situation. These chain of events have led to Lauderdale Memorial Highway being shut down from Highway 11 to I-75, and residents have been recommended to stay indoors and to turn off HVAC units within a 1.5 mile radius south of the Wacker facility.
"Additionally, we have been made informed that a Wacker firefighter has been transported to a local hospital due to heat exhaustion."
But shortly before 10 p.m., officials said, "Incident Command has advised the environmental reading outside of the Wacker facility is 0.0 HCL. Additionally, it has been determined the visible vapor cloud that prompted an additional closure of Lauderdale Memorial Highway and residents to shelter in place a second time was only steam. It’s important for residents to know that advisories were only put into place as a matter of precaution when the change of events was discovered.
"After speaking with representatives at Tennova Hospital, eight people were treated for symptoms related to the Wacker incident. However, seven out of the eight patients were transported by private vehicle, and a Wacker firefighter was transported via ambulance..
"As an abundance of caution Bradley County Schools have decided to close all schools on Friday."
Earlier in the afternoon, Bradley County Emergency Management was warning citizens to "stay out of the area of Charleston."
Wacker officials said, "There has been a mechanical failure at the plant and there was a chemical release. All employees, contractors and firefighters are accounted for. There are no injuries. We are sheltering in place as a precaution. The equipment has been shut down to address the issue."
Nearby residents reported hearing the blast.
Students at nearby schools stayed inside, while air conditioning units were cut off to avoid bringing in smoke.
Bradley County School officials said due to emergency personnel responding to Wacker, students from Charleston Elementary School and Walker Valley High School that were still en route home on buses were redirected to Ocoee Middle School. Parents were told to pick students up there. The buses are 1, 3, 22 and 43. All students are safe, it was stated.
Any students or adults still at Charleston or Walker Valley were sheltering in place at this time, officials said in the afternoon.
Then by 5:30 p.m., roads were reopened and schools were no longer required to keep students inside. Parents were able to begin picking up their children
James Bradford earlier said, "At approximately 4 p.m. an alleged explosion was reported to the 911 Communications Center from residents around Wacker Polysilicon, located in Charleston, Tn.
"Upon arrival, first-responders were able to determine a mechanical failure caused a plume of low-concentrated hydrochloric acid to form a cloud that was visible within a portion within the Charleston area.
"Students from Walker Valley High School students sheltered in place and Charleston Elementary School students were transported to Ocoee Middle School for pickup by parents. Additionally, residents within the Charleston area were advised to shelter in place and turn off H.V.A.C. systems to minimize exposure.
"Representatives from Wacker Polysilicon and area first-responders were able to evaluate the incident in order to communicate the precautionary procedures to ensure the safety of the community.
"Earlier reports advised there were no injuries at the facility; however medical responders were able to locate one patient at the facility needing medical assistance. At this time we are unable to determine if the patient’s injuries are related to the incident or health related."
It was the second emergency situation at the plant in a week.