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I-75 South in Anderson Co. reopens after cargo fire

Parts of I-75 are closed due to a cargo fire at mile marker 125 in Anderson County

UPDATE: 8 p.m.: According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation's SmartWay, all southbound lanes have been reopened after a cargo fire.

Upon arriving on the scene, officials learned that the driver did not know what he was carrying on the truck and did not have a manifest. Ammunition was popping off and unknown chemicals were found burning in the trailer. 

It was later found that the trailer had a combination of items on it ranging from dog food, toilet paper, sugar, etc, according to Andersonville Fire.

It was also carrying the following chemicals: hypochlorite (pool shock), chlorine (liquid), hydrochloric acid, Round-Up, herbicides and pesticides

Andersonville Fire requested that the Anderson County Emergency Management Agency respond for HazMat containment and clean up.

Andersonville Fire instructed TDOT to start backing up Southbound traffic at least 1/2 mile as a precautionary measure due to the chemicals burning in the trailer. Southbound traffic was then completely shut down starting at the Rocky Top exit.

The fire was successfully extinguished and ACEMA controlled the HAZMAT cleanup and containment. TDOT brought in several pieces of heavy equipment to clean up what was left of the trailer and hauled it in dump trucks, according to Andersonville Fire.

There were no injuries reported to any first responders on the scene. However, several firefighters and two  ACSO deputies are going to North Knox Medical Center for evaluation just as a precautionary measure due to being exposed and inhaling chlorine and other chemicals on the scene, according to Andersonville Fire.

UPDATE 4:38 p.m.: According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation's SmartWay, I-75 South between Norris and Rocky Top should be cleared around 7:40 p.m. Traffic is still being diverted to alternate routes.

UPDATE 1:43 p.m.: The Anderson County Sheriff's Office said the tractor-trailer contains an unknown chemical and ammunition which is causing crews difficulty putting out the fire. 

It says Anderson County EMA and Clinton Fire Department have been called to assist.

The southbound lanes of the interstate will be closed for a while as they clear the scene.

ORIGINAL STORY: Southbound lanes on I-75 are closed due to cargo fire in Anderson County. 

Anderson County dispatch says deputies are responding to the fire near mile marker 125.

Dispatchers say the call came in around 12:15 Sunday afternoon.

Credit: TDOT Smartway

Crews are rerouting traffic on the northbound side at mile marker 122, while southbound lanes are shut down.

TDOT Smartway says it expects the roadway to be cleared by 2:40 p.m.

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