KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Authorities in eastern Tennessee continued to investigate a container believed to contain large amounts of dynamite on Friday, warning residents that evacuations will likely continue through the night.
“Until we know more, we are imploring people to stay out of this area,” Knoxville Police Department spokesman Scott Erland told reporters Friday. “We are still dealing with an unstable situation.”
Residents within 3,000 feet (914 meters) of CMC Recycling — which provides metal recycling services to both residents and industrial customers — have been encouraged to evacuate since Thursday after an employee discovered a 5-by-5-foot steel box containing suspected dynamite.
Erland said the employee used a flashlight to open the box and the contents of the box began to smoke, prompting the employee to call authorities. However, it was still unclear what exactly was in the container.
“Until we believe otherwise, we’re going to treat it like it’s going to explode,” he said.
According to police, there is no evidence of foul play and no evidence that the coffin was “maliciously” left at the scene. It is unknown how long the box was at CMC Recycling, but it is believed it was there for at least several days, Erland said.
Knoxville police have consulted with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which have recommended evacuating the immediate area.
Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon said more than 30 people spent Thursday night at the emergency shelter for evacuated residents. The shelter will remain in place while the investigation continues.
In total, more than 1,000 people voluntarily evacuated the area, Erland said.