An overturned propane tanker caused quite the stir on East Emory Road at Foster today, leading to immediate evacuations and a road closure that’s expected to last for a while, authorities from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) reported. In the wake of the tanker flipping, local residents from Foster Road near the accident site were swiftly evacuated and others were directed to shelter in place as a precautionary measure while emergency crews, including Rural Metro Fire, worked to contain the situation.
The incident, which occurred early this morning, prompted the KCSO to take to Facebook to inform the public and recommend that drivers seek alternative routes to avoid traffic congestion. The backup worsened quickly as patrol units blocked off Emory Road from Foster to Corryton Road to ensure everyone's safety. The road remained closed for an extended period while authorities managed the aftermath of the accident. As a result, traffic in the area was heavily impacted, with drivers scrambling to find detours.
By 10:40 a.m., the KCSO had updated the public, stating, "The homes have been evacuated from Foster Road near the accident scene, and all others are sheltering in place at this time." Then, shortly after at 10:50 a.m., the KCSO declared, "The fire is out," but reaffirmed that the road would remain shut down for an extended period while the scene was secured and cleared, hinting at the complex nature of handling a tanker filled with a highly flammable substance like propane.
The sheriff's office underscored the importance of community cooperation during such emergencies, encouraging the public to "Stay safe and follow all emergency personnel instructions," as the situation unfolded they know that in scenarios where danger is immediate, the response from residents can make the difference between safety and calamity, so it's important to heed such advice. KCSO emphasized that precautionary measures were in place to ensure the wellbeing of the community and that they were working diligently to rectify the situation, attending to the risks posed by the tanker’s volatile cargo.
