Richmond Fire Department Battalion Chief Jim Fessler said the smoke from the fire likely was toxic but environmental concerns were lessened because the winds were carrying it away. The huge cloud of black smoke could be seen throughout the city on the Indiana-Ohio border.
Authorities did not order area evacuations, though people were evacuated from one nearby business as a precaution.
Fessler said fire officials were advising nearby residents to close up their homes to avoid breathing smoke.
In addition to the millions of dollars worth of structural damage, many in town are concerned over job losses. The Primex Plastics Corp. is said to be one of the main employers in town.
Battalion Chief Tom Shook with the Richmond Fire Department said, “It’s going to end up being probably three or four buildings with an additional three or four rail cars.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Flames Tear Through Richmond Plastic Company
A plastics business in Richmond caught on fire Friday afternoon, sending smoke miles into the sky.
The Prime X Plastics Company is located on North Street, and started around 3:30 p.m. Fire dispatchers told News Center 7 that all available fire crews were called to the scene.
Other departments were called in to assist in other parts of the city, if needed.
Firefighters said the fire started in the basement and spread to the third floor.
At this time, the cause of the fire remains unknown.