DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — Emergency crews evacuated an area in Rainsville after authorities say that an 18-wheeler wrecked and spilled hazardous material Thursday.

According to the DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), evacuation was recommended 1,000 feet from the Alabama 35 and Alabama 75 intersection.

Rainsville Mayor Rodger Lingerfelt said the initial call came in around 10 a.m. for an overturned truck carrying organic peroxide.

DeKalb County EMA Director Anthony Clifton said organic peroxide is a respiratory chemical that causes difficult breathing and mild chest pain.

“It’s like breathing a strong bleach it’s strong hydrogen peroxide, an industrial grade which means it’s very toxic,” Clifton told News 19. “It’s an oxidizer [and] has an explosive property to it can burn that’s why we are being careful about it and having a hazmat team coming from Atlanta to deal with the product, and one out of Nashville.”

Lingerfelt said there were no known medical calls related to the situation at this time.

The cleanup lasted into the early morning hours Friday; by 5 a.m. DeKalb County EMA said traffic on both Alabama 35 and Alabama 75 will return to normal patterns. The lone exception will be the intersection of the two highways; DeKalb EMA advised drivers to use caution in and immediately around the intersection as crews work to finish cleaning up the spill.

Cornerstone Christian Academy will be operating on a delayed start Friday – classes will begin at 10 a.m.