Nitric Acid Spill Prompts Road Closures in Chattanooga

Police search for armed robbery suspect after East 23rd Street incident

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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A semi-truck spilled nitric acid on roads throughout Chattanooga early Saturday, leading to the closure of I-24's Browns Ferry off-ramp, Wauhatchie Pike, and Rossville Boulevard. Crews are working to clean the affected areas near the Brenntag Mid-South chemical facility. Meanwhile, Chattanooga police are searching for a suspect who allegedly robbed someone at gunpoint outside an O'Reilly Auto Parts on Friday night and fired a shot before fleeing.

Why it matters

The nitric acid spill poses potential environmental and public safety concerns, while the armed robbery highlights ongoing crime issues in the city. Both incidents require a coordinated response from local authorities.

The details

The nitric acid leak occurred near the Brenntag Mid-South chemical facility, prompting a hazmat response and the closure of several major roads. No injuries have been reported so far, but officials are still working to determine the exact cause of the spill. In the armed robbery case, the suspect allegedly approached the victim outside the O'Reilly Auto Parts store, robbed them at gunpoint, and fired a shot before fleeing the scene. The victim was unharmed, but the suspect remains at large.

  • The nitric acid spill occurred early Saturday morning.
  • The armed robbery took place on Friday night.

The players

Brenntag Mid-South

A chemical facility located near the site of the nitric acid spill.

Chattanooga Police Department

The local law enforcement agency investigating both the nitric acid spill and the armed robbery incident.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in Chattanooga.”

— Robert Jenkins, Chattanooga resident (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

What’s next

The judge in the armed robbery case will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the suspect to be released on bail.

The takeaway

These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges Chattanooga faces in maintaining public safety and environmental protection, underscoring the need for continued collaboration between local authorities, businesses, and the community to address these issues.