Residents of Naschitti were evacuated after a semi-tractor trailer hauling hazardous materials crashed early this morning and caught fire. Rose Whitehair, director of the Navajo Nation Department of Emergency Management, said the explosion occurred around 6:40 a.m. near milepost 43 in Naschitti.
The semi-trailer turned over and caught fire. The San Juan County Hazardous Materials team extinguished the fire.
Temporary evacuation shelters were mobilized at Tohatchi Chapter and Newcomb Chapter. The public was encouraged to keep home doors and windows closed.