Police move 6 million pounds of explosives

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DOYLINE, La., Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Half the people in Doyline, La., decided to evacuate while police move about 6 million pounds of improperly stored explosive powder to a bunker, officials said.

Police began investigating the munitions dismantling facility Explo Systems Inc. after an Oct. 15 explosion destroyed a bunker owned by the company, the Shreveport (La.) Times reported Sunday.

Louisiana State Police originally believed Explo had improperly stored 1 million pounds of explosive powder outdoors and in open-air buildings but they've now determined that number is closer to 6 million, officials said.

The powder is being packed into 18-wheelers and transported into federally approved bunkers.

Manufacturing was halted at the plant, though powder is still being sold and distributed to buyers, the Times reported.

About half of the town's 800 people opted to evacuate the area.

"Everybody that I've talked to, they're all are being understanding," Police Chief Robert Hayden said.

"They don't want to come back to any danger. They are going to stick it out until we say come back. Some will have to come back for personal belongings and we're going to be here to help them anyway we can. If they stay here, we're going to continue to protect them like we have been."