Focus turns to getting displaced Richmond residents home as firefighters control blaze
RICHMOND, Ind. — The focus has officially shifted from putting out the fire to figuring out when and how to get displaced Richmond residents back to their homes.
Just before 8 p.m. Thursday, the Richmond Fire Department (RFD) declared the fire at the My Way Trading complex under control. However, “under control does not mean the fire is out.”
More: Richmond fire completely extinguished; residents still need to take precautions
During a Friday afternoon press conference, RFD Chief Tim Brown emphasized that the area is still “very dangerous.” While there wasn’t any visible fire or smoke as of approximately 3:30 p.m. Friday, Brown is “really sure” there are smoldering fires underneath the surface, which can cause flare-ups. There are still large pieces of metal everywhere, unstable structures and several gallons’ worth of water on the ground, covering up deep holes.
“We encourage everybody to please stay away from the site,” Brown said. “Let us take care of it, and everyone will be safe.”
Richmond Mayor Dave Snow thanked the community for supporting RFD over the last few days, and he made sure to give the firefighters the praise they deserved.
“The biggest thank you today goes to our Richmond Fire Department,” Snow said. “The way they were able to contain that fire to that site, they were able to save surrounding businesses that were very close to the fire site. More importantly, they were able to save a neighborhood that was right next door. What they did was tremendous, so they are to be highly commended.”
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RFD is essentially doing patch work now, meaning Snow and his city team can start thinking about getting displaced residents back home. They will have a meeting Saturday afternoon to go over air and water samples and will have a better idea of a timetable for lifting the half-mile evacuation order.
It’s important to note that this does not mean the order will be lifted right after this meeting. Rather, officials will have a better idea of how safe the area’s air and water are and could start creating a timeline to get people home.
“We want to get people back in their homes. They need to get back to their lives,” Snow said. “That’s really where our story is right now is ‘How fast can we get people back into their homes?’”
More: Richmond industrial fire forces evacuation/shelter in place order; schools closed Wednesday
The answer to that is just as soon as it’s safe to do so. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Wayne County Health Department have asked for patience. Determining what’s safe and what’s not is a long process, and they’re doing it for everyone’s protection.
EPA has set up a headquarters in central Richmond and has upped its number of teams roaming the Richmond area collecting air samples to 51. As of approximately 4 p.m. Friday, they have taken 1,169 measurements.
The vast majority of those measurements have come back containing just particulate matter (dust, dirt, soot, etc.), which is still dangerous to inhale. However, Thursday night, EPA collected an air sample in the middle of the fire site near a flare-up and detected hydrogen cyanide and benzene. RFD jumped on the hot spot, and EPA hasn’t seen any traces of those two contaminants since.
Wayne County Health Department Director Christine Stinson encouraged people to stay away from the evacuation zone. While wearing an N95 mask is the best way to protect yourself in that area, “nothing is 100 percent.”
More: Richmond plastics recycling warehouse that caught fire had previous safety citations
“We’ve had people call who have said they were walking around in the evacuation zone, and now they’re vomiting, have a sore throat and their head is pounding,” Stinson said. “This is exactly why we set up an evacuation zone and are imploring people to stay out of that evacuation zone until it’s lifted.”
Indiana American Water is currently testing and monitoring the municipal water system. So far, there has been no evidence of contaminated water. The Richmond Sanitary District continues to monitor the river. It has standing orders to avoid contact with the river until organic and metal results come in, but no dead fish or other wildlife have been found.
EPA has started taking requests for inspections at homes with debris in their yards but is prioritizing schools and public parks. To have your yard checked, call 973-9300.
Snow also sent out a call for help to the community. If anyone has footage of the fire from doorbell cameras or security cameras or has any additional information about the fire, email that information to rfdfire@richmondindiana.gov.
Information for displaced residents
You can find a list of resources (food, shelters, toiletries, etc.) at richmondindiana.gov. If you don’t have internet, you can call the community hotline at 973-9300.
Snow said there have been inaccurate reports of shelters being full. These reports are false; there is still “plenty” of available space for displaced residents. Sheltering is available at Oak Park Pentecostals Church (1920 Chester Blvd). It is staffed and run by the Red Cross. Food and drinks are served. If you need transportation to this shelter, call 973-9300.
If you need assistance with sheltering your dog, call Abington Pines Dog Boarding at (765) 855-1000. Your dog must be up to date on shots, and you must provide your dog with food.
If you need to get essential items from home (medication, clothes, etc.), call 973-9399 to arrange an escort. You will be given instructions to meet an officer at the Dollar General on NW 5th Street, and they will escort you to your home. You will have a short time to retrieve your essential items before being escorted out. You will be required to wear an N95 mask during transit.
Zach Piatt is a reporter for The Palladium-Item. Contact him at zpiatt@gannett.com or on Twitter @zachpiatt13.
This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: Focus turns to getting displaced Richmond residents home after fire
