Major Indiana plastics fire nearly out but residents worry

By ARLEIGH RODGERS and MICHAEL CONROY
Associated Press

RICHMOND, Ind. (AP) — Authorities say a major industrial fire in Indiana fueled by tons of scrap plastics is close to being extinguished. The fire in Richmond has been burning since Tuesday afternoon. An evacuation order for people living near the disaster remains in place for now, though the fire could be out by Thursday night or Friday. The smoke is not as dark or dense as earlier in the week. Richmond schools were closed for a second day while crews working in a smoky haze poured water and dug for hot spots. Richmond officials say the plastics dealer was under a 2020 cleanup order but was also allowed to sell what was on hand.