Clay County nursing home residents return home after nearby industrial plant fire

Clay County residents living near Vinland Energy’s natural gas plant have returned home after a fire caused by a propane leak caused local evacuations.

“There was some routine maintenance going on at that location,” Clay County Emergency Management Assistant Director said. “And unfortunately, there was an ignition made during that. We were notified at around 1300 hours, 1:00 on Wednesday.”

The fire was extinguished Thursday after 25 hours. Clay County called a local state of emergency in response.

Berry says they evacuated homes within a mile of the fire, alongside residents at the nearby Landmark of Laurel Creek Nursing Home.

“We worked with their staff, did a controlled evacuation and had surrounding partner ambulance services that we mutual aid with come in and assist us,” Berry said.

Nursing home residents returned Friday, with other locals returning home Thursday shortly after the fire was extinguished.

Clay County Emergency Management says no injuries have been reported.

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