North Carolina | Fertilizer factory fire drives thousands away

(Winston-Salem) A fire burning out of control at a fertilizer plant in North Carolina prompted the evacuation of thousands of people on Tuesday morning over fears that chemicals stored on site could explode.

Posted at 9:14 a.m.

Officials circulated in nearby neighborhoods and knocked on doors asking residents to evacuate within a mile radius of the Winston Weaver Company plant in north Winston-Salem.

The flames broke out on Monday evening and no injuries were reported.

Wake Forest University’s main campus is just outside the evacuation zone. The university has asked students who live on campus to stay indoors and close their windows.

Bright flames and thick smoke billowed into the sky as fire engines and other first responders surrounded the plant. The evacuation zone includes some 6,500 residents and 2,500 homes, according to Winston-Salem firefighters.

A fire official, Patrick Grubbs, told the media early Tuesday that a risk of an explosion remains.

Firefighters had to pull back in the face of the intensity of the flames, Mr Grubbs added, and only an automated truck continued to hose down the blaze. Drones periodically fly over the scene to monitor the development of the situation.

Winston-Salem Fire Chief Trey Mayo said there are significant amounts of ammonium nitrate on site, and firefighters are unable to douse the flames enough to ensure the heat does not will not cause an explosion.

Wake Forest University has canceled classes for the day Tuesday and opened its doors to students and staff who have been kicked out of their homes.

The Forsyth minimum security prison, which can hold about 250 inmates, is in the evacuation zone.

Winston-Salem leaders have opened an emergency shelter for evacuees, who are not expected to be able to return home for at least 48 hours.

The fertilizer plant was closed when the flames broke out and no employees were on site, according to local press reports.

The Winston Weaver Company website reveals that its Winston-Salem factory has been in operation since 1940.


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