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A large industrial fire in eastern Indiana has prompted the evacuation of nearby residents, and officials say the blaze could burn for several days.
The fire broke out at a former factory in Richmond, a city of about 35,000 residents 70 miles east of Indianapolis. Richmond sits on the state’s border with Ohio.
Authorities ordered the evacuation of people within a half-mile of the site on Tuesday and told others nearby to shelter in place. The response included local, state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Richmond Mayor Dave Snow said the fire occurred at the site of a former plastics recycler and retailer that had been ordered to clean up what city officials had deemed an unsafe property.
Here’s what we know about the fire and what comes next:The health effects on people impacted by the fire are unclear
The EPA was monitoring the air quality outside the half-mile evacuation zone to check for harmful particulates and toxic compounds.
At a Wednesday morning news conference, the EPA’s Jason Sewell said agency staff were checking for volatile organic compounds that can be released when plastic burns.
„Fortunately, the toxic compounds that we’re looking for were not seen,“ he said.
Sewell underscored that any smoke is dangerous to breathe.
Officials said earlier that they still weren’t sure what was burning in the fire, and noted that their primary concern for any related health problems would be respiratory issues, such as shortness of breath, irritated skin and burning and irritated eyes. People with pre-existing respiratory conditions should be especially cautious, they warned.
