UPDATED 10:52 PM

An ammonia spill at Mount Vernon Mills in Trion forced evacuations of nearby residents on Wednesday night. 

Trion Mayor Lanny Thomas told WZQZ News that the source of the leak was a transfer truck that was bringing ammonia to the mill. The truck driver went through protocol for a spill and called Chattooga 911.  Exactly how the spill occurred was not clear immediately, but the Trion Fire Department was dispatched and were spraying water on the leak to contain the ammonia and keep it from spreading.  Mayor Thomas said that Hazmat officials from Chattanooga were also on hand.

Portions of the mill were evacuated along with Sixth and Seventh Streets in Trion as a precaution. Trion Police were directing evacuees to the Trion Recreation Department and Trion First Baptist Church which were opened for anyone needing a place to go.

WZQZ News will have updates as information is released by the mill and Trion officials.