![Hazmat Situation Prompts Evacuations in Paynesville](http://townsquare.media/site/684/files/2017/01/Police-lights.jpg?w=300&h=200&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Hazmat Situation Prompts Evacuations in Paynesville
Paynesville, MN (Learfield Wire Services/TTWN Media Networks) -- Stearns County authorities evacuated dozens of homes in Paynesville early Friday morning when a tractor-trailer truck carrying hazardous chemicals caught fire.
It isn't clear how the fire started. The driver called 9-1-1, saying he was able to detach the cab and move a safe distance away.
People living nearby were rousted from their sleep shortly before 12:30 a-m by officers going door-to-door. An estimated 70-to-100 homes were evacuated. Residents took shelter at Paynesville High School. They were allowed to return home after several hours, but Highway 23 was blocked even longer during the cleanup.
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