RICHMOND, Ind. — The cause of a massive fire that destroyed a Richmond plastics recycling plant and sent toxic fumes into the air for days remains undetermined.
On Tuesday, the Indiana State Fire Marshal's office said their investigation was now finalized "unless additional evidence is discovered."
Thousands of people had to be evacuated as the April 11, 2023 blaze at the former My Way Trading Warehouse facility spewed toxic, black smoke into the air. Even more residents had to shelter in place and turn off their HVAC systems, and an air quality alert was issued in two counties. Schools in the area were closed for several days. Smoke and debris was even picked up on a NOAA satellite more than 22,000 miles away.
One firefighter suffered minor injuries that day, but no one else was hurt.
The state fire marshal's investigation, which also involved the Richmond Fire Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, ruled the cause as undetermined. They noted that the fire burned for a week and the site was flushed with "a deluge of water" which washed away trace evidence that could have pointed to a potential cause.
The report said the fire originated in an area outside of a building near the center of the property.
Richmond's mayor said previously the Environmental Protection Agency removed more than 6,000 tons of debris from the property, and about 850 tons of steel were saved, cleaned and recycled.
A state fire marshal spokesperson noted that the report isn't currently available for public release because it is an investigative document. The state's investigation was an effort to determine cause and origin and they said other issues related to the incident weren't under their jurisdiction.