Winston-Salem Fertilizer Plant Fire Forces Thousands To Evacuate

WINSTON-SALEM, NC — A massive fire destroyed a fertilizer plant in Winston-Salem on Monday night, and the threat of explosive chemicals detonating led authorities to evacuate about 6,500 people in the surrounding area.

The inferno at the Winston Weaver Co. plant spread to a rail car containing ammonium nitrate, forcing firefighters to pull back, officials said, according to the Winston-Salem Journal. Trey Mayo, chief of the Winston-Salem Fire Department, said the there could be nearly three times as much of the chemical as that of a plant in Texas that exploded nine years ago. Fifteen people died in that fire.

“We pulled the firefighters back because of the danger of an explosion,” Mayor Allen Joines said.

White smoke continued to pour out of the plant as of 10:15 a.m. Tuesday.

In a Tuesday morning update, Joines said: "We got through the night safely." No injuries were reported, though authorities are now concerned about noxious fumes.

Authorities drove through neighborhoods and knocked on doors urging residents to leave.

Mayor Pro Tempore Denise Adams said those who want to help the people affected can contact the Red Cross. She asked people to stay away from the site and the one-mile radius and remain vigilant.

"We are not through it yet," she said. "Pray that we'll make it through ok with not so much smoke and fumes."

The warehouse is located on North Cherry Street, near North Point Boulevard. A spokesman for the Winston-Salem Fire Department told residents within a mile radius Monday night to evacuate and expect to be away for two days. Firefighters opened the education building at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds for evacuated families.

“Don’t wait for something to happen. Something has happened. Now is the time to get out," said fire Chief Trey Mayo.

Winston-Salem Battalion Chief Patrick Grubbs told reporters early Tuesday: “We want to make sure that right now we’re evacuating everybody in this one-mile radius. There is still a potential for explosion.”

A minimum-security prison and parts of Wake Forest University were in the evacuation zone, the Journal reported. The university canceled classes Tuesday and wrote in an online alert message that overnight housing was available on campus for evacuees.

"Evacuation is expected to last until 11 p.m. on Wednesday," the university said. "Visitors should consider changing plans to come to campus."

The university urged students living in dormitories to stay indoors and keep windows closed, The Associated Press reported.

Videos posted on SnapChat showed large flames and a plume of black smoke billowing out of the building overnight.

At least 90 firefighters and emergency responders from other agencies battled the blaze for about two hours Monday night. But firefighters couldn't flow enough water to keep it cool enough to prevent a detonation.

Michelle Shepherd, who lives blocks from the plant, told the Winston-Salem Journal that after hearing and feeling explosions and seeing the flames Monday night, she didn't wait for the evacuation order to leave her house and head to a shelter opened by local authorities.

“We felt big explosions. The entire house shook,” she told the newspaper. “And I looked out my front door and I could see the orange glow.”

Gov. Roy Cooper said his office is communicating with state emergency management, public safety and local officials about the fire.

"I appreciate the work of fire fighters and the state will continue to provide any assistance necessary to get this fire under control," he said in a statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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