US: Authorities continue to respond to hazmat situation on Mynderse Avenue NW, demarcate associated evacuation area in Knoxville, Tenn., Oct. 11 /update 1

Authorities are continuing to respond to a hazmat situation involving explosive materials at CMC Recycling on Mynderse Avenue NW in Knoxville, Tennessee, as of the evening of Oct. 11. Officials have closed local roads to traffic and demarcated a 915-meter (3,000-foot) evacuation area around the facility as bomb squad technicians work to dispose of the explosives. Police have asserted that there is no evidence to indicate that the explosive materials were left at the site with criminal intent. Authorities have reported that the technicians' work at the site would likely continue into late Oct. 11 and potentially into early Oct. 12.

Heightened security and disruptions to transport and business will almost certainly continue to affect the evacuation area until bomb squad technicians conclude their work at the scene and vacate the vicinity. Authorities could expand the evacuation zone or close additional roads to traffic on short notice to ensure public safety and facilitate the emergency response.