Authorities have called for the evacuation of a neighborhood in a Tennessee city after officials a recycling company found a container that apparently contained dynamite, although no criminal intent is suspected, Associated Press reported, citing BTA.
The Knoxville Police Department said it urged residents within a 1,000m radius of CMC Recycling to evacuate after officers found a steel can containing suspected dynamite.
Law enforcement said their sappers assessed the site with a drone and could not identify the contents of the box with certainty, but "based on this initial assessment and out of an abundance of caution, sappers believe the box does indeed contain explosives“, the message says.
The police reported that there was no evidence of criminal intent.
"There is no evidence to suggest foul play or that the box was left there maliciously,”, the police said in a statement. "Officers are believed to have been sorting materials when they discovered the box and attempted to open it.“
The company's website states that it provides metal recycling services for industrial and residential customers.
A shelter has been opened for displaced people.
Authorities said the situation likely won't be resolved until Friday. Fire Department spokesman Mark Wilbanks said evacuations were not ordered but recommended, according to the Knoxville News-Sentinel. Hundreds of people have left their homes and offices.