On the evening of January 31, 2022, a fire broke out at the Winston Weaver fertilizer plant located in a business and residential area on Winston-Salem’s north side. Thick smoke, noxious fumes, and the threat of a catastrophic explosion from hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate on site caused thousands to evacuate their homes and made national headlines. And now residents are demanding accountability on the zoning laws and regulations that permit chemical manufacturers and local residents to live and work in close proximity.
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After the Winston Weaver fertilizer plant caught fire, many people in the vicinity had to evacuate with no emergency funds or plans. And for the Latino community, there were more challenges, including language barriers and the fear of asking for help. Many of them turned to local community organizations instead of government entities.