Evacuation Order Remains in Place as Crews Work to Douse Plastics Fire in Indiana
Date
4/13/2023 6:41:00 AM
(MENAFN) An evacuation order affecting more than 1,000 people was expected to remain in place through Wednesday as crews worked to put out a massive fire at a plastics facility in Richmond, Indiana. The fire, which began on Tuesday afternoon, quickly grew in intensity and spread throughout the 14-acre facility, according to Richmond Fire Department Chief Tim Brown.
Brown said that the plan is to put out the fire by "sometime on Saturday," but the fire response teams need to gain access to hotspot areas. Responders were working diligently, but their job was made tougher because they have to move things around, he told CBS News. The goal is to put out the fires rather than letting them burn, and rumors to the contrary were incorrect.
"We are attempting to put the fire out. We are not letting it burn," Brown said during an interview with CBS News.
Between 1,500 and 2,000 people who live within a half-mile of the plant were told to leave after the fire began, said David Hosick, spokesperson for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. The evacuation order is expected to remain in place until crews are able to fully extinguish the flames and ensure the area is safe for residents to return.
The fire at the plastics facility has caused concern among local residents, who have reported seeing thick black smoke in the sky and feeling the heat from the flames. Some residents have expressed frustration with the slow progress in extinguishing the fire, while others have praised the efforts of the first responders who are working tirelessly to contain the blaze.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, and it is not yet clear when residents will be able to return to their homes. The situation remains fluid, and officials are urging people to stay informed and follow all safety instructions until the fire is completely extinguished.
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