SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. — On Thursday, crews responded to calls about an explosion at a chemical plant in Sevierville. No injuries were reported due to the explosion, they said.
The plant is located on Airport Road and is owned by Johnson Matthey Catalyst. The company manufactures chemicals used in several products and solutions. They have 43 manufacturing sites across the world and they primarily make catalysis products, meant to quicken chemical reactions.
According to Bob Stahlke, the spokesperson for Sevierville Police Department, firefighters arrived to find smoke coming from the building but were able to take control of the situation quickly.
They advised people in a 1,000-foot radius to voluntarily evacuate to a temporary shelter by going door-to-door but said no one decided to heed the evacuation. The evacuation notice was later rescinded.
Stahlke said the company believes nickel aluminum powder in the building likely exploded, saying the fire was quickly contained by a fire suppression system. Firefighters put out the remaining hot spots.
The Sevierville Fire Department and crews from the Pigeon Forge Fire Department also responded to the explosion.