CNN
—
An evacuation order was issued after an accident involving a commercial tractor truck carrying liquid nitric acid prompted officials to block a portion of Interstate 10 in Tucson, Arizona.
Interstates were closed in both directions between Rita Road and Kolb Road on Tuesday, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety expects “widespread closures” to continue to affect Wednesday morning commutes. said on its website.
The driver of the truck was killed in the accident, police said, but the identity of the driver has not been released.
A previously issued shelter-in-place order was lifted on Tuesday night, officials said. Meanwhile, the half-mile area around the incident was under evacuation orders until at least 6 a.m. Wednesday, officials said.
Nitric acid is a colorless liquid with yellow or red smoke and a pungent odor. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and PreventionExposure to it can irritate the eyes, skin and mucous membranes.
