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Police investigating explosives order an evacuation around Western Avenue

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Police investigating explosives order an evacuation around Western Avenue

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Update: Knoxville police: Case of explosives made safe, evacuation lifted

People who were told to evacuate the area of ​​Mynderse and Western avenues are unlikely to return home or reopen their businesses overnight as a bomb squad investigates a steel box filled with suspected explosives.

During a news conference at 7:00 p.m. on October 10, spokespersons for the Knoxville Police Department and the Knoxville Fire Department said the evacuation announced would continue into the afternoon, likely into the afternoon. tomorrow

KPD and KFD crews were called to CMC Recycling at 2706 Mynderse Ave. at 2:15 p.m. on Oct. 10 in response to a report that employees had discovered a five-foot-by-five-foot steel box that contained suspected dynamite and was smoking, KPD posted in a Facebook statement.

The bomb squad has not definitively confirmed what is in the smoking crate. “We’re not dealing with a small amount of suspected dynamite. We’re dealing with a large amount, and again, we haven’t definitively determined what that material is, but that’s our suspicion at this point,” the spokesman said of the KPD, Scott Erland.

“There is no evidence to suggest foul play or that the box was maliciously left at the site,” the Facebook post said. “Employees are believed to have been sorting supplies when they discovered the box and attempted to open it. They called 911 immediately after seeing the contents.”

Emergency alerts have been sent to the phones of people in the evacuation zone. The Jacob Building in Chilhowee Park was identified as an emergency shelter for residents who were ordered to evacuate, according to the KPD Facebook post.

Emergency officials are working together to determine how many people have ignored the evacuation request, which fire spokesman Mark Wilbanks said is not an order, but highly recommended. So far, he said, more than 1,200 people have fled their homes and businesses.

Businesses along Western Avenue in the evacuation zone will remain closed until the situation is resolved, Wilbanks said. KFD and KPD are working to reopen businesses as soon as possible.

Western Avenue is closed between Texas and Massachusetts avenues as police continue to investigate, with Knoxville police and fire vehicles blocking access to major highways and side streets. Drivers should use alternate routes.

“The work that the bomb squad does is incredibly delicate,” Erland said. “The process really slows down because they really have to have a lot of confidence in what they’re dealing with and in the actions they’re taking what’s going to happen based on those actions.”

The Knoxville Police Department has consulted with the Federal Bureau of Investigation as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which recommended the current evacuation area, but the KPD is making research decisions on their own. Police have not been notified of any other explosive threats in the area, Erland said.

“We think this is going to be a protracted event,” he said. “We think this is an event that could last into tomorrow night.”

The evacuees take refuge in the Jacob building

By 8 p.m. on October 10, more than 60 people were gathered at the designated shelter operated by the Red Cross in the Jacob Building, and more were expected, with room for “a couple of hundred” people if needed , according to shelter director Brent Sadler. he said

The space had cribs with blankets set up, Papa John’s pizza, hot meals and water boxes available. The Knox County Health Department is also here.

“We’re here until we’re needed. The Red Cross will be here until everyone can get home safely,” Sadler said.

KAT and AMR were providing transportation to the Jacob Building, and people can call 865-215-4010 for assistance, the city posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Startled by the evacuation alert, people ran for safety

Corrine Holness was awakened by her grandson when the evacuation alert was sent out around 4 p.m. She and her grandson jumped in the car to head to the American Red Cross shelter in the Jacob Building.

Holness thought it was another tragedy in Lonsdale before learning of the potentially explosive material found in the area.

“They are giving us an option, but common sense for me is to go where there is safety. If too many people tell you the same thing, it’s real,” Holness said. “I feel like I’m blessed and thankful that we have a place to go. The city cares enough to make sure we’re taken care of.”

Kerry Conner was outside her home with her children when her mother received the evacuation notice.

By the time he heard the announcement on the radio and received his own notification, Conner and his family were already far from the house and heading to the shelter, though he took the time to grab an emergency bag from his house

“We have our family here safe and hopefully everything will be fine in the area,” Conner said.

He trusted the safety of the crews handling the situation.

Mark Brittingham was inside his apartment in Lonsdale when he received the notification at around 4pm

At first I wasn’t sure what the alert was. He saw it was for an evacuation, and a knock on the door from a police officer confirmed that he, his daughter and his dog had to leave.

They went to the rental office building and boarded a bus to the shelter. Brittingham said they had been well looked after with food for everyone and a place to sleep for the night.

“They gave food to my dog, and my daughter, she is 6 years old, she is autistic. She has food. We’re all fine,” Brittingham said.

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