RICHMOND--Richmond City Mayor Dave Snow addressed the recent warehouse fire in a joint press conference with other local officials on Sunday.  Snow began by saying that “over the last 72 hrs we have been in several meetings to determine conditions at or around the site of the fire…the EPA placed air quality monitoring systems at the evacuation zone and path of smoke plume.  These devices take regular snapshots of data over 8-24 hours, then send the data to a lab for analysis, which has been expedited.  Wayne County’s EMA and health department have been receiving this data to make a determination regarding the evacuation zone.”  He then announced that evacuation and  shelter-in-place orders were lifted at 12:00 on Sunday, April 16.  At least 1,500 people live in the evacuation zone, though it’s not known how many residents were actually displaced after the fire began Tuesday afternoon.  Director Matthew Cain from Wayne County Emergency Management reassured the public, saying in part, “We know, understand and recognize that this is only one milestone in what is going to be a very long event…there are five stages of emergency management–we will be transitioning from response mode to that of recovery in order to get the community back to some sort of normalcy.”  Richmond Fire Chief Tim Brown spoke next, noting that Richmond FD had remained on the scene, and “will continue to remain on-scene as long as it takes” to control any flare-ups, especially with current temperatures and wind conditions.  He asked that folks please avoid the site, and that drivers “not try to get down NW 2nd and NW F streets.  Let our crews do our job, we do not want you to be in harm’s way.” 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has said hydrogen cyanide and benzene were detected at the fire site.  Wayne County Health Officer Dr. David Jetmore, who’d just met with the EPA and Dept. of Health in a Zoom meeting, reviewed the data that has come from repeatedly testing the air in the area on the site, noting that it was “showing presence of benzene, butadiene… although it is raining today, which is cleansing the air of particulate matter and the wind is blowing. [It] makes me feel very safe about lifting this evacuation order.  I feel very confident that people will be safe when they move back to their homes.”  

Authorities would like to note that it is essential not to remove or disturb any debris believed to be from the fire as these materials may contain asbestos, a substance which releases microscopic fibers when disturbed. Individuals who suspect debris on their property should call (765) 973-9300 to register their information. A member of the EPA will reach out to gather additional data and add the property to a debris collection list.  EPA contractors are searching for, flagging, and removing debris. Out of an abundance of caution, these asbestos professionals will wear protective gear as they wet and gather materials until sample results are returned, determining the level of protection necessary. As the potential for worker exposure to asbestos is minimized, protective gear will be downgraded.  Christine Stinson of Wayne Co. Health Dept. said that once school grounds are cleared, these contractors will begin removing debris from residential properties, parks and/or public areas, and businesses.  The Wayne County Health Department has put together cleaning kits and cleaning informational sheet for those in the evacuation zone. Cleaning kits may be picked up from their office at 100 S 5th St, Richmond, IN 47374.