BRYAN (July 30, 2009)—Virtually the entire city of Bryan was under a mandatory evacuation order Thursday after a fire broke out at a chemical plant, producing potentially toxic fumes and the threat of a massive ammonium nitrate explosion.

The plant is about three-fourths of a mile west of Bryan.

Texas A&M University officials closed the campus in nearby College Station because of the fire at the El Dorado Chemical Co. warehouse just west of Bryan, although the university’s Reed Arena is being used as a shelter for residents who have left their homes.

The Texas Department of Transportation was discouraging any travel in the area because of the fire and road closures.

The fire broke out about noon Thursday and continued to burn Thursday evening.

Because of the fumes and the potential for an explosion, fire crews kept their distance through the afternoon, monitoring air quality and letting the fire burn itself out, which officials say could take several days.

Bryan Fire Chief Mike Donoho told KBTX-TV in Bryan that as the fire begins to subside, fire crews would begin to move closer to the plant, where dry fertilizer is mixed and packaged.

Earlier in the day, Bryan officials were asking residents in homes and businesses north of University Drive east and west to the Brazos County line to evacuate and urging anyone who could smell or see the smoke to evacuate to seek shelter elsewhere.

State Highway 21 was closed between FM 2818 and State Highway 47 because of the fire.

Other roads in the area were also closed.