Evacuation ends after Tenn. plant stops sulfur gas leak; no injuries, people go back home

Sulfur gas evacuation around Tenn. plant ends

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Authorities let about 250 people go back to their homes and businesses around a Tennessee chemical plant after acidic gas escaped, prompting their evacuation.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office says the evacuation Tuesday affected a one-mile area around the Lucite International plant near Memphis. No injuries were reported.

Plant manager Marney Gillmore said the vapor was contained and the all-clear was sounded about an hour after the gas release. The plant was not evacuated.

Plant spokesman Tom Eubanks says the vapor was a combination of sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide. Sulfur trioxide is an ingredient in sulfuric acid and can mix with water particles in the air to form an acid mist.