Update: Morehead NC Evacuated after Chemical PETN Leak

Nine containers at the Morehead North Carolina city port were punctured this morning. This is prompting voluntary evacuations of the Downtown Morehead downtown area.

2:10 PM Update: WITN is reporting that the situation is slowly coming to a close and the threat is decreasing. A forklift operator is believed to have accidentally punctured at least one container containing PETN. Chief Wes Lail, Morehead City's fire chief says, "PETN is a slurry, shipped that way for safety reasons." Police say that the chemical that was in the containers was PETN. The containers were reported to be punctured at 4:44 AM this morning. PETN is highly explosive and is used in many bombs and detonators. PETN is the same chemical that was used in the failed terror attempt on a Detroit bound aircraft. North Carolina Emergency Management told NBC affiliate WITN that, the leak is contained to land, nothing has leaked into the water. There have been no injuries reported. WITN is also reporting that Police are telling residents that if they do not evacuate then they should try to stay away from windows and doors. The town says no foot or vehicle traffic will be permitted in the port area.