NC police warning Morehead City of explosion risk

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. — Officials have shut down the Port of Morehead City and are recommending an evacuation of the city’s downtown area after containers with highly explosive materials were punctured.

City police spokeswoman Amy H. Thompson said Tuesday that nine containers were damaged. Authorities did not immediately disclose the contents of the containers or their size.

Police recommended people leave the area and those near the port were being told to stay away from windows and doors. The police department sent officers downtown to knock on doors to relay alert and evacuation recommendations.

The Morehead port is one of the deepest on the East coast. Its Web site says its top import last year was sulfur products and the top export was phosphate.

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