A toxic fire is continuing to burn at a recycling plant in Richmond, Indiana. The plant is about 90 miles north of Cincinnati.The fire broke out Tuesday, and though it is contained, it is continuing to burn Friday, according to fire officials. Richmond mayor Dave Snow said the fire is under control but is urging people to stay away from the plant at this time. Officials said so far, there have only been two minor injuries to firefighters responding to the fire. Both have been treated and released. An evacuation order is still in place for residents within a half-mile radius. The fire has also shut down nearby businesses and closed two school systems.Officials will be conducting a meeting on Saturday to evaluate the air quality to determine if the evacuation order can be lifted.Officials reminded residents that have had to evacuate that there is a shelter at Oak Park Pentecostal Church on Chester Boulevard. The shelter is run by Red Cross. The plant is for recycling — the mayor says it’s jammed with plastics. Some people report the smell of tires burning."Each one of those buildings was full of the plastics from floor to ceiling and wall to wall," said fire Chief Tim Brown. "I want to get the fire extinguished. I want to get the plume taken care of to where it's not floating into the neighborhoods."(Watch the full press conference in the player below) No one knows what the long-term effects are, but they know what they’re feeling now are headaches and burning eyes."We have been able to stay at our place. We've just been keeping the doors shut; obviously, the HVAC systems are off, windows are closed," said local resident Stephanie Cardel. The Environmental Protection Agency is measuring and testing for carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, benzene, chloride, hydrogen cyanide and mineral acids. So far, the EPA said they have detected particulate matter, which is expected with smoke, but no other compounds they are analyzing for. The concern is that the smoke is rising with the heat now, but as this cools, more of that smoke will be at ground level.Officials said they are unable to provide an exact time or estimate when evacuation orders will be lifted but continue to monitor and test the air quality. Local churches and organizations have been trying to fill the gap for community members in need. "We had a lot of people talk about how they literally just grabbed their jacket and their shoes," said McKenzie Westland, a volunteer from Oak Park Pentecostal Church. Thursday, the church partnered with the Red Cross and other churches to offer free food to about 120 families. They are also providing shelter for anyone who needs a safe place to stay."It's really cool in such a chaotic moment how the community comes together."
A toxic fire is continuing to burn at a recycling plant in Richmond, Indiana.
The plant is about 90 miles north of Cincinnati.
The fire broke out Tuesday, and though it is contained, it is continuing to burn Friday, according to fire officials.
Richmond mayor Dave Snow said the fire is under control but is urging people to stay away from the plant at this time.
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Officials said so far, there have only been two minor injuries to firefighters responding to the fire. Both have been treated and released.
An evacuation order is still in place for residents within a half-mile radius. The fire has also shut down nearby businesses and closed two school systems.
Officials will be conducting a meeting on Saturday to evaluate the air quality to determine if the evacuation order can be lifted.
Officials reminded residents that have had to evacuate that there is a shelter at Oak Park Pentecostal Church on Chester Boulevard. The shelter is run by Red Cross.
The plant is for recycling — the mayor says it’s jammed with plastics. Some people report the smell of tires burning.
"Each one of those buildings was full of the plastics from floor to ceiling and wall to wall," said fire Chief Tim Brown. "I want to get the fire extinguished. I want to get the plume taken care of to where it's not floating into the neighborhoods."
(Watch the full press conference in the player below)
No one knows what the long-term effects are, but they know what they’re feeling now are headaches and burning eyes.
"We have been able to stay at our place. We've just been keeping the doors shut; obviously, the HVAC systems are off, windows are closed," said local resident Stephanie Cardel.
The Environmental Protection Agency is measuring and testing for carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, benzene, chloride, hydrogen cyanide and mineral acids. So far, the EPA said they have detected particulate matter, which is expected with smoke, but no other compounds they are analyzing for.
The concern is that the smoke is rising with the heat now, but as this cools, more of that smoke will be at ground level.
Officials said they are unable to provide an exact time or estimate when evacuation orders will be lifted but continue to monitor and test the air quality.
Local churches and organizations have been trying to fill the gap for community members in need.
"We had a lot of people talk about how they literally just grabbed their jacket and their shoes," said McKenzie Westland, a volunteer from Oak Park Pentecostal Church. Thursday, the church partnered with the Red Cross and other churches to offer free food to about 120 families. They are also providing shelter for anyone who needs a safe place to stay.
"It's really cool in such a chaotic moment how the community comes together."
