Residents Evacuated Due to Chemical Spill, Plant Fire

Police have begun evacuations of residents from the neighborhoods near U.S. 27 and 20th Street over to Old Lindale Road as a result of the Bekaert plant fire. U.S. 27 northbound is closed at Walker Mountain Road and southbound traffic on U.S. 27 is shut down at the Ledbetter interchange. Two bus routes in the Pepperell area were impacted by the fire. "Calls are being made to parents to let them know," said Tim Hensley, assistant to the superintendent of Floyd County Schools. "We’ll keep those students at the school until it is safe." The Gilbreath Center in Lindale has been prepared to be used as a evacuation center.