Scores of North Carolina residents evacuated after blaze at fertilizer plant sparks fear of possible explosion of ammonium nitrate
- People living within a one-mile radius of the Weaver Fertilizer Plant in Winston-Salem, NC were forced to evacuate their homes Monday night
- The city issued the evacuation orders after a fire broke out at the facility, creating the possibility for an ammonium nitrate explosion
- Crews have abandoned the fire-fighting operation due to the large amounts of ammonium nitrate at the plant, which they say has collapsed
- Fire Chief Try Mayo said crews were not ‘reasonably certain’ they could flow enough water to the plant to keep it cool enough to prevent a detonation
- It is unclear how the blaze started and no injuries have been reported
North Carolina residents are forced to evacuate their homes after a blaze broke out at a fertilizer plant in Winston-Salem Monday night.
Firefighters believe there is potential for an explosion of ammonium nitrate and have ordered residents living within a one-mile radius of the Weaver Fertilizer Plant on North Cherry Street to evacuate, WGHP reported.
Winston-Salem Fire Chief Try Mayo told the TV station crews have ‘abandoned’ the fire-fighting operation due to the large volume on ammonium nitrate at the facility.
Mayo said crews were not able to flow enough water volume to the factory to be ‘reasonably certain’ they could keep the facility cool enough to prevent a detonation.
The factory has collapsed and authorities are restricting access to products within the building. No injuries have been reported and the cause of the fire remains unknown.
North Carolina residents are forced to evacuate their homes after a blaze broke out at the Weaver Fertilizer Plant in Winston-Salem Monday night
Firefighters believe there is potential for an explosion of ammonium nitrate and have ordered residents living within a one-mile radius of the plant to evacuate
Firefighters were called to the factory around 7pm Monday night.
The blaze was reportedly visible for miles, sending large clouds of black smoke into the sky. Popping noises could be heard throughout the community, according to the Winston-Salem Journal.
Bystanders attempted to watch from nearby parking lots as the flames consumed the plant. However, they were ultimately instructed by police and firefighters to leave the area.
Authorities have closed off the factory with yellow police tape and have shut down the 4400 block of Cherry Street, from North Point Boulevard to Indiana Avenue. Drivers have also been asked to avoid the area.
The calls for evacuations went out around 8.30pm Monday despite the fire appearing to be considerably diminished. Officials were utilizing a reverse-911 procedure to notify residents of the need to flee.
Workers at nearby WestRock Co., a paper and packaging company, were also forced to evacuate their workplace.
WestRock employee Jeff Luman told the newspaper he knew something was wrong when he could smell the smoke coming from the fertilizer plant next door.
‘I saw an orange glow, and that is all I needed,’ he said.
Firefighters were called to the factory (pictured before the blaze) around 7pm Monday night
The blaze was reportedly visible for miles, sending large clouds of black smoke into the sky. Emergency responders expressed concerns over the fumes being released by the blaze as well as the potential for an explosion
Emergency responders expressed concerns over the fumes being released by the blaze as well as the potential for an explosion.
Although ammonium nitrate, which is one of the world’s most common fertilizers, isn’t flammable itself, experts warn it is a main component in many types of explosives used in mining.
The chemical compound can cause a blast when it is mixed with fuel oil and detonated by an explosive charge. Experts say oxygen must also be present for combustion to occur.
Ammonium nitrate can also decompose at high temperatures and create explosive gases such as nitrogen oxide and water vapor.
Exposure to extreme heat, such as a fire, is also necessary for the rapid release of gases that can cause an explosion.
Weaver Company Inc., which utilizes the plant, was founded in Norfolk, Virginia in 1929. According to the company’s website, the Winston-Salem plant was built in1939 and has been operational since January 1940.
The company specializes in its all-purpose plant food and speciality fertilizer which is sold at Lowe’s stores throughout the southeastern United States.
Winston-Salem police have asked anyone with information about the blaze to call (336) 773-7700 or Crime Stoppers at (336) 727-2800.