Richmond, Ind Locals Look Back on Massive Recycling Plant Fire

It has been one month since a massive fire broke out at a Richmond, Indiana plastics recycling plant, and residents remain concerned over the toxic chemicals spread throughout the city from the massive smoke clouds.

This week, the city of Richmond plans to take its next steps in the cleanup process, noting that there is still a lot of work to be done.

Until then, John Duran of 13WTHR caught up with locals to talk about the massive fire.

Jenny Tinkle, a business owner who operates across the street from the where the fire took place, recalls how she heard of the fire that day.

“We had a customer walk in and I was helping him at the counter, and he had been there for a couple of minutes, and finally he said, ‘did you know that building down the street is on fire?’” remembered Tinkle. “It was a little bit chaotic; our parking lot was full of emergency responders.”

A mile away, Sandy Carpenter remembers the day of the fire as a pleasant day turned into a shocking one.

“I was sitting outside working. It was a pretty day. And I heard the neighbors say, ‘oh my god!’” says Carpenter. “I stayed in my house!”

Richmond Mayor Dave Snow sent in a statement that commended the hard work of the first responders who were able to put out the massive fire after a few days.

Watch the full video here.