Public Information Office
210 S. McDonald St. Suite 636
McKinney, TX  75069

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Leigh Hornsby, Public Information Officer
972-548-4772
publicrelations@collincountytx.gov

August 31, 2004

Collin County Alert

Residents in the Farmersville area are being asked to shelter in place following a fertilizer fire

(McKinney, TX) – Residents in the Farmersville area of Collin County are being asked to shelter in place following a fertilizer fire in neighboring Hunt County. It is believed that the fire involves ammonia nitrate and other fertilizers. As a result, there is a “vapor cloud” drifting with the wind, which is currently out of the southeast and traveling at 6 miles per hour to the northwest. The vapor plume is being tracked by Collin County’s Homeland Security Department with plume modeling technology.

Some residents east of Farmersville have reported eye irritations and difficulty breathing to AMR ambulance service.

Residents in the Farmersville area are being asked to shelter in place by remaining in their homes or businesses. The residents are also being contacted by Reverse 911 technology, which provides emergency information.

The cities of Farmersville, Princeton, Blue Ridge, Anna and Melissa have been notified.

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