Update on fire and evacuation
Parents and families,
We sent the message below to the campus community to update on the status of the fertilizer fire and the impact to campus. We wanted families to have this important information too.
Our students’ safety is our highest priority, and we are working to provide multiple avenues of support to any students who need assistance.
Any updates will be posted to wakealert.wfu.edu. You can also follow Wake Alert on Twitter and Facebook.
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On Monday evening, a fire at the fertilizer plant at 4440 N. Cherry Street in Winston-Salem led to the Winston-Salem Fire Department asking for the evacuation of residents living within a one-mile radius. Faculty, staff and students who reside inside that radius are encouraged to leave the area.
The Winston-Salem Fire Department said that the evacuation request will be in place until around 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 2 and then will be reassessed.
The evacuation area does not include on-campus housing, with the exception of Deacon Place, which is within the one-mile evacuation radius. Campus staff and the Winston-Salem Fire Department continue to monitor air quality and at this time have not found any harmful issues in the campus area.
The University will be helping to relocate students who need overnight housing. Any evacuated students who need assistance finding a place to stay on Tuesday night should check in at the Support Center in the Wellbeing Center in conference room A330. If you are not able to check in at the Wellbeing Center, you also can email housing@wfu.edu.
Classes, as well as academic and other planned outdoor activities, are canceled today. Staff who are not needed to support the evacuation effort and are able to work remotely are encouraged to do so. If you are unsure if you should report to campus, contact your supervisor.
Worrell Professional Center is card-access only today, and the LAM Museum of Anthropology is closed. North Dining Hall will be closed today to focus staffing resources at other locations. All other dining options remain open.
Shuttles are not running today. An on-call shuttle is available until midnight tonight. To request a ride, please call 336-283-1091. Deacon Place has a shuttle in the parking lot for students who would like to evacuate to campus.
Human Resources will communicate additional employee resources and guidance for entering time in Workday later today. Faculty and staff can contact askhr@wfu.edu with questions.
Students on campus or living outside of the one-mile radius are encouraged to stay indoors and keep their windows closed. Please remember to wear face masks when in campus buildings. Expect smoky conditions. Masks are recommended outdoors. Outdoor gatherings and events are discouraged.
The Student Health Service will be open until 5 p.m. to provide confidential health care to students who may be affected by smoke and fumes. If you need assistance after hours, please call 336-758-5218.
For counseling, students can reach the University Counseling Center at 336-758-5273. TimelyCare, a 24/7 resource at timelycare.com/wakeforest, is also available. Faculty and staff can use the Employee Assistance Program by calling 336-716-5493.
Additional updates will be shared as the situation evolves.