About 2,000 people in Indiana forced to evacuate due to large fire at plant

Indiana State Police have called for the evacuation of about 2,000 Richmond residents due to the spread of toxic smoke from a large fire at a recycling plant.

According to Indiana Fire Chief Steve Jones, a plastic trailer near the recycling plant caught fire Tuesday, the fire spread to nearby piles of garbage and later engulfed the entire building. The type of plastic could not be determined at this time, but the column of smoke that rose at the scene of the incident was “definitely toxic,” according to Jones.

City authorities have issued an order to evacuate about 2,000 people within an 800-meter radius of the fire. Evacuations are expected to affect other residents if the wind direction changes. Authorities also canceled all school classes on Wednesday and urged residents to observe self-isolation mode, bring pets into the house and close doors and windows tightly.

At this point, the fire is not yet contained, according to Jones, “it will be burning for some time.”

A firefighter was injured in the incident. Causes of the fire have not been specified.

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