Global Courant 2023-04-12 04:54:10
More than 2,000 residents had to evacuate Tuesday afternoon after a major fire broke out at an Indiana recycling plant, sending plumes of black smoke into the air.
The fire broke out in the city of Richmond, about 70 miles east of Indianapolis and near Ohio’s western border.
The evacuation orders for the fire affected people within a 0.5 mile radius. (Fox News/IN WM VISION TOWER CAM)
Indiana State Police said the fire was at the former Hoffco plant, which closed in 2009.
Wayne County EMA said the evacuation order applied to residents and individuals within 0.5 miles of the blaze. Those outside that zone were advised to keep windows closed and pets indoors.
Richmond Mayor Dave Snow described it as a “severe, large-scale fire”.
“There are many units on the scene,” Snow said. “Avoid this area if possible, as it is dangerous, and give our responders room to get this under control.”
“The smoke is absolutely toxic,” the Indiana State Fire Marshall said at the scene according to Fox59.
“This fire will burn for a few days,” he added.
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Bethesda Worship Center provided temporary shelter for people forced from their homes, while other agencies tried to arrange hotel rooms if necessary.
Mayor Snow said later Tuesday that firefighters had the blaze on the northwest side of the city under control and are working to contain the east side to prevent it from spreading.
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Other details were not immediately available.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
