hundreds are forced to flee a US industrial fire

A fire at an industrial compound in Richmond, Indiana has led to an evacuation order for around 2,000 residents within a half-mile radius of the blaze due to the thick toxic smoke emanating from the facility. According to Richmond Fire Chief Tim Brown, the fire appears to have originated from a semi-trailer truck containing “unknown types of plastic” and spread to six other nearby buildings. The fire has now been contained and other buildings or residential areas are not in jeopardy of catching fire. Indiana State Fire Marshal Steve Jones stated that while the fire had been contained, “it’s going to burn for a few days.” He added that the smoke emanating from the facility, which can be seen for miles, is definitely toxic and could contain “a host of different chemicals.” Jones noted that evacuation orders will stay in place for a couple of days and could be expanded if wind conditions change. He also encouraged residents downwind of the evacuation zone to stay inside.

The incident comes amid a series of fires at various industrial facilities, as well as a number of trail derailments across the US. One of the most prominent incidents occurred in Ohio in February, when a cargo train operated by Norfolk Southern came off the tracks near East Palestine, spilling millions of liters of hazardous chemicals and causing a massive blaze. State authorities claim that the air and water are now safe for residents, but some locals have reported feeling unwell in the wake of the crash.