Evacuations after natural gas plant fire in Clay County

MANCHESTER, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A fire at the Vinland Energy plant on Gabbard Fork Road in Manchester caused nearby residents to be evacuated on Thursday morning.

According to Emergency Management, the fire started on a piece of equipment during routine maintenance at the natural gas plant. Due to the nature of the material involved, officials decided to let the fire burn itself out.

In the early hours of the morning, the Manchester Fire Department announced evacuations due to the ongoing fire. A shelter has been set up at Manchester Elementary School to assist those displaced from their homes.

The Manchester Enterprise reported that residents of the Laurel Creek Nursing Home were also evacuated as a precaution.