More than 2,000 people evacuated after inferno engulfs a plastic recycling plant in Indiana

A massive inferno at an Indiana plastics factory sent a huge plume of black smoke as more than 2,000 residents were ordered to evacuate their homes.

The fire, which is expected to burn for days, was caused by a semi-trailer truck catching fire, which in turn set fire to a nearby building that stored plastic and recycled materials.

The fire broke out around 2:40 p.m. Tuesday in Richmond, between Indianapolis and Dayton, engulfing the entire facility and the black cloud of smoke was visible from more than 20 miles away.

An alert from Wayne County Emergency Management, issued just before 4 p.m., ordered the evacuation of people within half a mile of the blaze.

Those downwind of the fire to the east and northeast beyond the half-mile radius were ordered to shelter in place. “Turn off HVAC units, keep windows and doors closed, and bring pets indoors until further advice,” the alert reads.

The black smoke was visible from more than 20 miles away. This photo was uploaded by a Twitter user who said they were in nearby Connersville

Richmond is a border town between Indianapolis and Dayton, Ohio

Richmond Mayor Dave Snow said the fire was under control on three of the four sides at the site of 358 NW F Street as of nearly 7 p.m. He said it was unlikely the evacuation order would be lifted before morning.

“We have a serious, large-scale fire with a very thick plume of black smoke in the air,” Richmond Mayor Dave Snow said. ‘Buses are used to evacuate residents who need it.’

“The smoke is absolutely toxic,” the Indiana State Fire Marshall said on the scene Fox 59. “This fire will burn for a few days,” he added.

Richmond Police Chief Mike Britt called the situation “a huge public danger” and asked people to stay away.

“We’ve had quite a few problems with bystanders getting close to the fire,” he said.

“This has been an explosion hazard since the first flames. We’ve had countless explosions. Please try to contain yourself,” he added.

The fire was caused by a semi-trailer truck catching fire, which in turn set fire to a nearby building that stored plastic and recycled materials

According to Richmond Mayor Dave Snow, the fire was contained on three of the four sides at the site of 358 NW F Street by about 7 p.m.

“You wouldn’t have to get close to this fire to see it. You can see it from miles away. Keep in mind and be polite that if you’re in the hot zone and one of my people has to go in to get you out, two people are in danger.”

Wayne County Emergency Management director Matthew Cain said in a report that smoke was first reported before 3 p.m.

According to the battalion commander of the Richmond Fire Department, “all hands are on deck.”

Bethesda Worship Center provided temporary shelter for people forced from their homes, while other agencies tried to arrange hotel rooms if necessary.

Snow wrote that the fire department had received enough donations to “get through this event,” but thanked everyone who offered support.

Those within half a mile of the plastic factory were asked to evacuate

The National Weather Service shared images of the smoke detected by radar and satellite imagery

One person reported debris falling in their backyard about 10 miles from the fire

Some residents shared footage of the fire on Twitter, and one person reported debris falling into their backyard. Some debris from the fire fell ten miles from the cause of the blaze in New Paris, Ohio, according to a local outlet WRTV.

The National Weather Service shared images of the smoke detected by radar and satellite imagery.

Snow said the Environmental Protection Agency and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management are on site evaluating potential hazards from the fire.

Richmond is a border town between Indiana and Ohio. In February, a fire broke out when a train derailed in the border town of Eastern Palestine, between Ohio and Pennsylvania, exposing thousands of residents to toxic chemicals.