Winston-Salem urges residents near blazing fertilizer plant to evacuate due to possible explosion

The City of Winston-Salem is asking people within one mile of a raging blaze at a fertilizer plant to evacuate due to the possibility of a large explosion.

WGHP-TV reports that the fire started Monday night at the Weaver Fertilizer Plant. City officials have confirmed small explosions at the plant.

Firefighters say there is the potential for a large explosion of ammonium nitrate. Winston-Salem Fire Chief Trey Mayo says fire crews "abandoned" the fire-fighting operation because of the large volume of ammonium nitrate on-site.