Evacuations and Debris Clearing Continue After Recycling Plant and Toxic Fires in Indiana and Virginia

A recycling plant fire in Richmond, Indiana, is mostly out, but hundreds remain evacuated from their homes as crews monitor the air for chemicals and collect potentially harmful debris from neighboring schools and homes. Some samples of debris from the area tested positive for asbestos containing materials, and crews in protective gear began collecting debris from three schools near the fire site on Saturday. Potentially harmful VOCs were also found in six air samples, and particulate matter was found inside and outside the half-mile evacuation zone. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and local leaders have shared concerns since at least 2019 that the facility had hazards and building code violations.