CBRN event in Tennessee, Oak Ridge area, United States of America on Thu 20th June 2024

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Oak Ridge Fire Department is investigating a report of a “bag of radioactive material” found along Highway 58 Thursday morning. According to ORFD, traffic has returned to normal and there is no threat to the public.

The fire department stated that it was dispatched just before 8 a.m. Thursday morning after a caller told emergency dispatchers that they stopped and moved the bag, which had large warnings of “caution, radioactive materials” from the center of the roadway near Horizon Center.

At the scene, firefighters found the bag to be intact, and radiation meters picked up a very low amount of radioactivity. According to ORFD, the reading was consistent with personal protective equipment or protective clothing.

“Thanks to the swift response by the caller and our firefighters, there was never any threat to the public or environment,” Oak Ridge Fire Chief Travis Solomon said.

Responding crews were able to contact local resources to properly dispose of the bag. According to the fire department, an investigation into the situation is underway.