Indiana Plastics Fire Forces Hundreds to Evacuate Homes and Schools to Close

More than 1,000 people were evacuated from their homes in Richmond, Indiana, due to a large industrial fire that began burning on Tuesday afternoon. The fire, which is contained but not under control, is burning within about 14 acres of various types of plastics stored inside and outside buildings at a former factory site. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and the evacuation order remains in place. State and federal regulators are monitoring air quality and other environmental impacts, and an air quality advisory has been issued for two counties. President Joe Biden has offered federal assistance to respond to the fire.