"Hundreds Forced From Indiana Homes As Plastics Fire Burns"

"RICHMOND, Ind. — An evacuation order affecting more than 1,000 people remained in place Wednesday night around a large industrial fire in an Indiana city near the Ohio border where crews worked to douse piles of burning plastics.

Multiple fires that began burning Tuesday afternoon were still burning within about 14 acres of various types of plastics stored inside and outside buildings at a former factory site in Richmond, 70 miles (113 kilometers) east of Indianapolis, Fire Chief Tim Brown said.

He said the fire was contained but not under control. Brown said his goal was to finish dousing flames by Saturday morning but “that’s a guess.”

“We are attempting to put the fire out. We are not letting it burn. Evidently there’s some misinformation out there that we’re letting it burn,” he said.

Between 1,500 and 2,000 people who live within a half-mile (0.8 kilometer) of the plant were told to leave after the fire began, said David Hosick, spokesperson for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security."

Arleigh Rodgers and Rick Callahan report for the Associated Press April 12, 2023.

"Toxic Smoke Is Spewing From An Inferno At A Recycling Plant Known As A ‘Fire Hazard,’ Officials Say. The Flames Could Burn For Days" (CNN)

"Richmond Plastics Recycling Warehouse That Caught Fire Had Previous Safety Citations" (Indianapolis Star)

"Where There’s Plastic, There’s Fire. Indiana Blaze Highlights Concerns Over Expanding Plastic Recycling" (Inside Climate News)