WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A large plant fire with the potential for explosions is prompting schedule changes for both North Hills Elementary and Wake Forest University.
North Hills Elementary students will learn remotely through Thursday. According to school officials, while students have the option to learn remotely, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools will also open the education building. The goal is to assist families with remote learning and childcare while the school building is closed.
The education building is located at 4801 Bethania Station Road.
WS/FCS officials said buses will pick up students at their normal stops and return them on Wednesday and Thursday.
North Hills staff will lead lessons and assist the children who attend the remote learning center. Those students who continue to learn remotely will also have teacher support online.
According to school officials, WS/FCS will also provide the students who opt to attend the Education Building with breakfast and lunch.
Wake Forest University canceled classes for Wednesday. WFU opened shelters for impacted students and staff at the Wellbeing Center, Benson Center, and ZSR Library.
"Out of an abundance of caution and in response to the continued disruption and displacement of students, faculty, and staff living in the voluntary evacuation zone, Wake Forest will cancel classes on Wednesday, Feb. 2," WFU's website states.
North Hills Elementary is within the one-mile radius of the Weaver Fertilizer Plant fire. Part of off-campus housing for Wake Forest University is within the radius. However, the vast majority of the campus is not included in that radius.
Winston-Salem fire officials are evacuating more than 6,000 homes and businesses in this perimeter because there is "potential for explosion."
Officials said the evacuations could be in effect for the next two days. The fire has been blazing since Monday night. Fire crews fought it for the first two hours but had to scale back because of dangerous conditions. There are about 500 tons of ammonium nitrate inside the plant, creating concerns for possible explosions through at least Wednesday morning.