Tanker rolls over, leading to hazmat situation on the I-10

A hazardous chemical leak from a rollover crash involving a truck tractor towing a box trailer closed Interstate 10 in both directions in Tucson.

The crash happened at around 2:43 p.m. on I-10 near Kolb and Rita Roads on Tuesday.

The freeway was closed as crews worked to mitigate the situation, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

University of Arizona police later tweeted that anyone within a one mile of the crash should shelter in place and turn off any air-conditioning units that bring in outside air.

UA police later said the Pima County Sheriff’s Department instructed all personnel at the university’s Tech Park to evacuate.

The Tucson Fire Department tweeted that the hazardous material was nitric acid, a highly corrosive material that can irritate one’s skin, eyes and mucous membrane if exposed, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

“The Department’s Hazardous Materials Response Unit, along with partner agencies, are working together to mitigate the incident. Out of an abundance of caution, first responders are working to evacuate a perimeter around the area of the incident,” Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesperson Raul Garcia Jr. told The Arizona Republic.

The Arizona Department of Transportation tweeted that Interstate 10 remained closed at milepost 272 near Kolb Road and would remain so for an extended period of time. Impacted onramps include:

Eastbound ramp for Kolb Road Westbound ramp for Houghton Road

Westbound ramp for Rita Roads Details surrounding what caused the crash were not immediately available Tuesday afternoon.

The incident comes a little more than a week after a train derailment in Ohio caused a chemical fire and forced evacuations.