Corryton, Tennessee – A propane truck crash on East Emory Road in Corryton, Tennessee, led to a tense situation on Tuesday morning, prompting a one-mile evacuation order and a temporary road closure. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. in the 9400 block of East Emory Road when a truck carrying 1,800 gallons of propane overturned and briefly caught fire.
The fire, which started in the truck’s cab, spread to the propane gas tank, creating significant concerns for first responders. Rural Metro Fire Captain Jeff Bagwell, who was on the scene, reported that crews from nearby Station 33 arrived quickly to cool down the truck’s tank, preventing further escalation.
“We were able to keep the tank cool, which is exactly what you want in that situation. The risk of overheating is always there, and we definitely didn’t want that,” Bagwell explained. “The truck’s cab caught fire, and the propane ignited, but we were able to control the situation before it got worse.”
Fortunately, the truck’s valve was shut off in time, averting what could have been a catastrophic explosion. The driver of the truck was able to escape without injury, though the situation could have been far more dangerous.
“We’re thankful it didn’t turn into something much worse,” said Bagwell. “Had that tank exploded, it would have been catastrophic for the entire community.”
In response to the fire and the hazardous materials involved, a one-mile evacuation order was issued by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. Corryton Elementary School, located within the evacuation zone, was instructed to shelter in place as a precaution. The evacuation order was lifted later in the day once the situation was deemed stable.
Rural Metro Fire crews remained on-site for several hours, with efforts focused on unloading the propane from the overturned tanker. The Knoxville Utilities Board also requested a power shutdown in the area as a further safety measure.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) has taken over the investigation, with plans to conduct a full crash analysis. Troopers from the Motor Carrier Unit will also perform a hazardous materials inspection to ensure the truck complied with safety regulations.
“Once the scene is deemed safe, we will continue our investigation to determine the cause of the crash and check for any regulatory violations,” said THP officials.
The incident caused East Emory Road to be closed for several hours, but it was reopened shortly after 5:30 p.m. after the evacuation order was lifted and the propane unloading process was completed. Despite the long delay, local authorities and first responders were praised for their swift response and effective management of a potentially dangerous situation.
