(APEX) – Authorities in Apex say a fire in one barrel at the Environmental Quality site has been contained. Workers and customers at nearby businesses have been asked to leave.  

The cleanup was underway at the site which caught fire on October 5 and led officials to ask about 17,000 people to leave their homes. Apex Mayor Keith Weatherly says firefighters are applying a retardant to the 55 gallon drum which caught fire. It is believed the material in the drum could ignite when it makes contact with water, such as the rain which fell overnight in the area. A portion of the street where the site is located has been closed to allow fire crews access to the site. The small fire comes the day after a meeting where about 200 local residents stated concerns about the site.

(with help from WRAL-TV)