CHARLOTTE — Interstate 77 South was shut down Wednesday afternoon near the Nations Ford Road exit due to a “hazardous material incident,” involving a tractor-trailer, Charlotte Fire officials said.
Chopper 9 flew over the scene where personnel were seen wearing hazmat gear approaching the tractor-trailer that was leaking fluid from the back of the haul.
The fluid was identified as glutaraldehyde, which is considered a skin irritant. There is no danger of contamination to the public, environment or surrounding area, Charlotte Fire officials later confirmed.
They opened the back of the upright tractor-trailer and more fluids gushed out.
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The southbound lanes reopened before 7 p.m. as traffic was being diverted onto Tyvola Road.
There were significant delays and drivers could be seen standing outside their vehicles waiting for traffic to clear.
Charlotte resident Yaya Wubed said she’s used to rush-hour traffic, but she said the scene Wednesday on the interstate was not something she sees every day.
“Staying inside a car for like 40 minutes, it’s a lot, especially for Charlotte,” Wubed said.
Some cars even turned around the wrong way on the interstate to avoid the chaos.
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Firefighters from the Charlotte Fire Department’s hazmat team wore the appropriate PPE, officials tweeted shortly after 6 p.m.
It took 40 firefighters, along with the hazmat team, about two hours to bring the incident under control. Thousands of drivers were affected by the delays, including those trying to get around on backroads in south Charlotte as well.
Kenny Key was not on the interstate, but he said he was still affected. Key said he couldn’t even get his car out of the motel parking lot.
“In 10 minutes, two cars went through the red light,” said Key. “It’s very slow. It’s very slow.”
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After controlling the incident, the entry teams were decontaminated and personnel were evaluated by paramedics.
There were no injuries reported.
The EPA and Storm Water Service have been notified and a clean-up crew responded.
The investigation into the incident was turned over to the N.C. Department of Transportation.
Return to this story for updates.
(Watch the video below: Hazmat crews respond to railcar leaking hydrochloric acid in southwest Charlotte)
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