Richmond Community Schools announce Thursday closure

RICHMOND — Richmond Community Schools has canceled school district-wide Thursday as a large industrial fire continues to burn.

The district announced the closure on social media, stating that it comes under the guidance of the Wayne County Emergency Management Agency.

There will be no e-learning and the district asked everyone to shelter in place and follow the directions of the EMA.

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Faculty and staff are not required to work from home and are not allowed to be in their school buildings, the district said.

Richmond Firefighters first responded to a semi-trailer fire Tuesday afternoon at a plastics recycling facility. The fire quickly grew out of control sending plumes of black, thick smoke into the air and prompting an evacuation order for all within a half mile of the fire.

A shelter in place order was put in place for anyone downwind from the fire or with respiratory issues.

The district canceled all after school activities Tuesday and canceled all classes Wednesday.

We will continue to follow this story and update as new information becomes available.

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