Winston-Salem Plant Fire: Evacuation Zone To Shrink To 275 Feet

WINSTON-SALEM, NC — The evacuation zone around the Winston Weaver Co. fertilizer plant will shrink to 275 feet at 8 p.m. Sunday, the Winston-Salem Fire Department tweeted.

A fire that started at the plant Monday began to improve late last week as fire officials decreased the evacuation zone from 1 mile to 660 feet Thursday evening.

North Cherry Street, where the plant is located, will stay closed from North Point Boulevard to Progress Lane, fire officials said Sunday. Businesses adjacent to the street can be accessed from Indiana Street.

Officials are conducting onsite overhaul cleaning at the fire site, though staff is still being cautious because of hotspots, authorities said.

Patch previously reported fire officials were worried about the possibility of a large-scale explosion similar to one nine years ago at a plant in West, Texas, because the plant contained about 600 pounds of ammonium nitrate, which is highly flammable. With the threat of explosion, firefighters had to withdraw and largely let the fire burn itself out.

By Thursday evening, the danger from a possible explosion "had greatly diminished," Winston-Salem Fire Chief Trey Mayo said.

Chemical runoff from the fire has affected nearby Muddy, Mill and Monarcas creeks, and officials warned residents Saturday to avoid the creeks and keep pets from going in them. Air quality near the plant also has suffered, and authorities are urging residents to stay indoors if possible or to wear a mask if they must be outside.

A medical hotline has been set up for area residents affected by the Weaver Fertilizer Co. fire and can be called at (866) 412-7768. The hotline is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.