The Environmental Protection Agency’s work to clean up part of the site of the April 11 plastics fire in Richmond has begun as of Nov. 6, and is expected to last through the summer of 2024. That’s according to Allen Jarrell, the on-scene coordinator for the EPA, who addressed media at a Nov. 14 press […]
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Long-term health effects from plastics fire unlikely
The thick, black smoke from the April 11 plastics fire in Richmond looked ominous, and it definitely carried toxic material from the burning plastic. There were many unknowns about the air quality at the time; however, constant Environmental Protection Agency testing for more than a week has left health officials confident the burning plastics won’t […]
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Plastics company owner requests fire lawsuit’s dismissal
The owner of a plastics company blames damages from an April fire on the city of Richmond and an “unknown arsonist” and has asked a lawsuit against himself and the company be dismissed. Seth Smith and his company, Cornerstone Trading Group LLC, responded last week to a lawsuit seeking damages from them. Tushawn Craig, Marquetta […]
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Plastics company owner says city liable for fire damages
The owner of a plastics recycling and sales company says in a court filing the city of Richmond is liable for damages caused by an April 11 fire. Seth Smith and Cornerstone Trading Group LLC have been sued by Tushawn Craig, Marquetta Stokes and Limitless Pallets for damages from the fire that emitted toxic smoke […]
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EPA removes 4,800 tons of rubble from fire site
A five-month cleanup effort has removed most traces of last April’s devastating plastics fire from two of three North West F Street properties involved. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency removed about 4,800 tons of debris from the two city-owned sites — at 310 and 358 N.W. F St. — Mayor Ron Oler told Richmond Common […]
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Plastics company files $700K lawsuit for lost property
The plastics recycling business involved in an April 11 industrial fire has named the city and state in a lawsuit seeking $700,000 in damages. Cornerstone Trading Group’s lawsuit in Circuit Court names the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, the city of Richmond and Richmond Fire Department as defendants. It claims the company has property within […]
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EPA to cover $2.8M cost for fire cleanup
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will fund and perform the hazardous waste cleanup on two Richmond-owned properties where an April industrial fire occurred. The EPA and city announced last week that heavy equipment would begin appearing as soon as this week for the cleanup of 310 N.W. F St. and 358 N.W. F St. The […]
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Fire experience: ‘It’s been horrible’
Talisha Spicher’s family has experienced breathing problems, coughs, sore throats and headaches since returning to their Linden Court home after Richmond’s plastics fire. Still, she had one main objective when attending an April 25 informational session at Fairview Elementary School. “We want to know if the soil is safe for our kids,” said Spicher, who […]
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3 events planned to help residents affected by fire
Upon returning, some residents of Richmond’s fire evacuation zone might not be physically able to deep clean their home after their neighborhood became smoky. Some might need detergent and quarters for extra loads of laundry at a coin-operated wash to remove odors from clothes, drapes and bedding. Some might need help buying food or paying […]
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Blame for fire’s cause, costs hit property owner
“It’s his fault.” Mayor Dave Snow blames Seth Smith, owner of Cornerstone Trading Group LLC, for hazardous conditions at a three-property complex that burned for more than three days last week. Smith stored tons of plastics in six buildings that total nearly 255,000 square feet on the 13.8-acre complex. Government officials recognized the properties as […]