Douglas police and fire departments are on the scene of a large hazardous materials situation in the area of Ninth Street and Pan American Avenue, officials said.
A two-vehicle crash caused one of the vehicles to collide into an 18,000 gallon propane tank. The tank is leaking propane gas and the people inside the car are injured, said Carol Capas, a Cochise County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman.
Cochise County sheriff's deputies are on the scene and additional employees are responding to help with evacuation efforts in the nearby industrial areas, Capas said.
Due to windy conditions, the Walmart is also being evacuated. People are advised to avoid the area until further notice, Capas said.
Police Sgt. Jose Duarte says there was no fire or explosion, that the propane tank at a gas-distribution business wasn't full when it was struck Tuesday and that firefighters are allowing some of the gas in the tank to dissipate before they try to clamp off the damaged pipe.
The sheriff's office said at least 19 businesses in the area, including the Walmart, restaurants, a Best Western and Tractor Supply, have been closed because of the incident. All businesses on Pan American between Fifth Street and 16th Street are closed.
Officials are trying to cap two pipes on the leaking truck that will allow personnel to reduce the size of the evacuation perimeter.
