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Moss Landing harbor resident reflects on the Storage Fire Thursday

MOSS LANDING, Calif. (KION-TV) -- One day after the Moss Landing Storage Fire shot flames into the air and pollution in the sky, nearby residents remain baffled about almost all of it.

"You know, I'm so emotional. [I'm] just out of it," said Moss Landing Harbor resident Bruce Thomas. "The outrage of it all."

Thomas lives right across the street from where the fire happened in the Vistra Zero facility of Moss Landing, one of the largest lithium battery factories in Northern California. He expresses frustration and confusion over the event that has taken place Thursday and Friday.

"I haven't been told anything yet. That's why I'm here. I want somebody to say this is how dangerous it is for you to be staying on your boat," he said.

Outrage was one of many feelings that Thomas experienced as he watched the Vistra power plant aggressively catch fire Thursday. The fire not burning wood or vegetation, but batteries, according to the County of Monterey.

Despite being in an evacuation order location, Thomas chose to stay with his boat, taking extra precautions like sealing his windows and doors.

But... that didn't stop the smoke from entering his boat.

"This morning my boat smells chemically," Thomas said Friday.

Health officials with the county are still advising people to stay indoors, close their windows and turn off air ventilation systems because of concerns over the toxic fumes lingering in the air.

"These are batteries that have chemical compositions that we know nothing of," said Thomas. "I want to see not just the guy with the hose sprinkling it — they need to safely dispose the batteries."

Another person living in one of the evacuation zones, did choose to leave her home with her son and mother, staying in one of the overnight evacuation sites.

She told KION that she's grateful for resources like food and beds, but wonders how long this will last as well as how the county will clean up the chemicals and debris.

Article Topic Follows: Moss Landing Storage Fire

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Dania Romero

Dania Romero is an reporter at KION News Channel 46.

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Jeanette Bent

I’ve been an international professional writer and performer for over 25 years. With a background in journalism, creative writing, dance and aerial, I find the intersection between all of these skills lands itself somewhere under the term “storytelling.”

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