School, businesses evacuate after chemical spill; students complain of sore throats

GLUCKSTADT, Miss. (WLBT) - A school and multiple businesses in Gluckstadt had to be evacuated Friday afternoon after a chemical leak.

While making a delivery to Vertex Aerospace around 11:30 a.m., a FedEx driver noticed something leaking from his truck when docking, according to Madison County Emergency Management Director, Albert Jones.

It turned out to be a compound, called organic peroxide.

Jones said students at an alternative school about a mile away from the area suddenly began complaining of sore throats, prompting the immediate evacuation surrounding Industrustial Drive South, near Levi’s facility.

I-55 East to Weisenberger Road and Gluckstadt Road south to Industrial Drive and all of Parkway East had to be closed while hazmat crews cleaned the area, Gluckstadt Assistant Police Chief Hale Barry said.

This affected Wendy’s, BankPlus, the Cookie Company, an alternative school, and several other places.

While no serious injuries have been reported, first responders attended to students.

As of 3 p.m. Friday, everything has reopened except for Industrial Drive at Denim Way headed south to Parkway Drive.

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