18-wheeler containing ethanolamine overturned in the Heights

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - An 18-wheeler tanker containing a chemical called "Ethanolamine" overturned in the Heights early Tuesday morning. Authorities with the Houston Fire Dept. said 30 residents in 18 homes were evacuated as hazmat crews responded.

Around 5:20 AM, Shadi Rawashdesh says he was suddenly woken up by the sounds of an 18-wheeler tanker containing the chemical "Ethanolamine" that had overturned outside his house at 6th and Rutland Street.

The tow truck driver said he was supposed to be sleeping during the day, but instead, he was one of 30 residents, ordered to evacuate his home for 9 hours.

"I'm just exhausted, tired. I was scared. When you walk by, you can hear the sound of gas or something pouring so that's why we got scared. And they had hazard people come in to check what was going on and they asked all of us to evacuate because it wasn't safe," Rawashdesh said.

The evacuation order was lifted around 3:30 PM once hazardous material crews were able to safely remove the overturned tanker.

The Houston Fire Department said the tanker was fully intact and none of the chemical ever spilled.