Richmond Toxic Fire: Residents concerned about how long cleanup process will take

RICHMOND, Ind. — People in Richmond have had mixed opinions on how city leaders have communicated in the month since a toxic fire in the city.

Some told News Center 7′s I-Team that they still have concerns about things such as potential health impacts.

The other main concern for people who live and work near the fire is when the debris will be cleaned up.

Neither the Richmond Fire Department nor the Indiana State Fire Marshal has answered the I-Team’s emails asking for an update on the investigation into a cause.

“I’m hopeful that cleanup will happen fairly quickly, but it’s a huge job,” said Jenny Tinkle, who works for Overhead Door Company of Richmond.

Kay and Charles Brown live just blocks from the fire site and say they wish they’d have heard more directly from city officials in the month since the disaster.

“Actually, I thought the mayor would come around and ask people, like you guys do, how everything was going, but I haven’t seen anything,” Charles said.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: PHOTOS: Large-scale fire continues to send plumes of black smoke into air in Richmond

Tinkle works across the street from the fire site and says the city’s communication has been just fine.

“The mayor stopped by our office about three days after the fire, maybe a little bit longer to see if there was anything they could do,” Tinkle said.

The I-Team wanted to talk to Richmond Mayor Dave Snow too, but several city officials, including the mayor, have not responded.

News Center 7 went to the city building Thursday to talk to the mayor and was told that he is sticking to a written statement the city emailed.

The city released a statement Thursday outlining what’s next.

On Monday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will start testing the debris. They say that will help them come up with a plan for how to safely remove and dispose of what’s left.

The city said it will continue to use its website to provide updates as new information becomes available.

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