Explosion at NC peanut warehouse

SEVERN, NC - An explosion set the Severn Peanut Stock Warehouse up in flames this past weekend, according to Sharon Long with the Northampton County Health Department.

According to representatives from the Severn Peanut Company, the fire is contained, but the peanuts inside of the warehouse continue to burn.

The fire is a slow managed burn, according to Gary Brown with the Severn Fire Department. Brown tells us the plans are to remove the peanuts from the dome and put in a trench filled with water to douse the fires that continue to burn.

Officials tell us no injuries have been reported.

Halifax and Hertford Counties in North Carolina, as well as areas in Virginia are providing water and assistance.

Crews will work in 24-hour shifts until the fire is extinguished.

At this time, Northampton County Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services and Law Enforcement, as well as local fire departments are on scene and closely monitoring the incident.

Officials say the fire could burn up to two weeks. They say weather conditions are helping keep the smoke away from adjacent neighborhoods.