'It was complete chaos': Winston Weaver fire evacuees demand accountability

One month ago, Winston-Salem made national headlines for a fire that could have grown into something much worse. Thankfully the ammonium nitrate stored at the Winston Weaver fertilizer plant did not provoke a fatal explosion, but it did lead to roughly 6,000 area residents being asked to evacuate. The emergency disrupted lives, halted businesses, and left many people frightened, angry, and concerned about the future. Those feelings were on full display last month at a public meeting held in the Hanes Hosiery Community Center gymnasium on February 16, 2022.

WFDD was there and has this look back on what was said by some of the North Ward residents who shared their concerns with mayor pro tempore D.D. Adams, Fire Chief Trey Mayo, and more than 150 community members. The speakers are Vanda Thomas, Cameran Sykes, Bethany Sietsma, Juan Gomez, Contillus Archie-Meyers, Dejuan Muhammad, Connie Trejo, Sabrina Thomas, Lamar Perry, Paulette Burch, and Maria Guadalupe.

WFDD invites listeners to hear their stories in the audio above.