DOYLINE, La. (AP) — The fifth day of operations to move explosives that were improperly stored at a northern Louisiana industrial site ended Wednesday with another 375,000 pounds safely put away, state police said.

That meant about 2 million pounds — out of an estimated 6 million — had been cleaned up.

A voluntary evacuation remained in effect for the nearby town of Doyline through Thursday. And it may be extended.

Authorities have said the material, including an artillery shell propellant known as M6, was found last week. Some of it was stuffed into corridors that connect storage buildings. Some was left in the open. The discovery has led to a criminal investigation. Company officials have not commented.

By the time work was suspended for nightfall, workers for Explo, supervised by state police, had removed another 375,000 pounds of the improperly stored propellant.

The status of the evacuation order will be re-evaluated at midday Thursday as the cleanup continues, state police said in a news release.

Though some of the material was found out in the open, authorities said there was little danger it could have been stolen from the former Army base that's still guarded by military police.

State Police spokeswoman Julie Lewis said the materials were being moved to a safe location at the Camp Minden industrial site in Webster Parish. Continued...