According to the Newton County Sheriff’s Department a propane truck overturned early Tuesday morning on Highway 7 eight miles south of Jasper, prompting the closure of the highway and evacuations as emergency crews responded to a hazardous materials incident with explosion potential.The Newton County Sheriff’s Office said the crash occurred on Highway 7 South between Gum Springs Road and the Cliff House. Authorities reported a significant propane leak and urged motorists to avoid the area.
Residents were asked to evacuate the area after what the National Weather Service called “an incident resulting in hazardous material with explosion potential.”
As of 6 a.m. Tuesday morning the sheriff’s department confirmed the affected section of Highway 7 remained closed. Law enforcement, fire departments, the Office of Emergency Management and additional emergency personnel were on scene, with others responding to assist.
The Jasper Fire Department and Emergency Management issued an alert at 1:47 a.m. recommending the evacuation of all residents within a half-mile radius of the intersection of Highway 7 and Gum Springs Road, approximately five miles south of Jasper. Officials said the incident was ongoing and provided no estimated time for reopening the highway.
In a statement from the Arkansas Department of Transportation, the rollover occurred about two miles south of Highway 374. All lanes of Highway 7 were impacted, and traffic was shut down in both directions.
No reports of injuries have been received at this time. Stay tuned to KTLO, Classic Hits and the Boot News for updates as they become available.
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