WINSTON SALEM, N.C. — A fire at a North Carolina fertilizer plant is prompting evacuations amid fears that a large explosion could occur.
>> Visit WSOCTV.com for the latest on this developing story
According to WSOC-TV, the fire began Monday night at the Weaver Fertilizer Plant in Winston-Salem. Although crews attempted to battle the blaze, officials “pulled the firefighters back” around 8:30 p.m. over concerns that ammonium nitrate at the plant could cause a major explosion, Mayor Allen Joines told the Winston-Salem Journal.
>> PHOTOS: North Carolina fertilizer plant fire prompts evacuations
INCIDENT UPDATE - Structure fire 4440 N. Cherry St. Fire attach still in progress. No injuries. #WSFire .107 pic.twitter.com/ZYSn91dRiR
— Winston-Salem FD (@cityofwsfire) February 1, 2022
It was not immediately clear what caused the fire, WGHP reported. Authorities said they have not received any reports of injuries in connection with the blaze.
Police are asking everyone within a one-mile radius of the plant to evacuate for 48 hours, according to the news outlets. An estimated 6,500 residents live in the area, the city tweeted early Tuesday.
The evacuation area around 4440 North Cherry Street has almost 6500 residents or 2,497 households. #MapForsyth#CityofWSFire pic.twitter.com/h1DcwA1YDk
— City of Winston-Salem, NC (@CityofWS) February 1, 2022
Please evacuate the one mile radius around 4440 North Cherry Street. Plan to be away from your home for up to 48 hours. Evacuation location 414 Deacon Blvd-The Education Building at the Fairgrounds. #cityofws #weaverfirews pic.twitter.com/BjncTqRBXz
— Winston-Salem PD (@cityofwspolice) February 1, 2022
Nearby Wake Forest University also canceled classes and urged students who live in some areas off-campus to evacuate, according to WGHP. The evacuation area does not include any on-campus housing, the university said.
Voluntary evacuations for some areas of off-campus housing. Campus buildings open include the Wellbeing Center, Benson and ZSR. See email, https://t.co/UASxJdyfQ9.
— Wake Alert (@WakeAlert) February 1, 2022
– The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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