Richmond Toxic Fire: No classes Friday for Community Schools; Ivy Tech goes virtual

RICHMOND, IN — Richmond Community Schools have canceled school district-wide Friday as the large industrial fire continues to burn.

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

The district announced the closure on social media Thursday afternoon saying it came under the guidance of the Wayne County Emergency Management Agency.

There will be no e-learning and the school is encouraging everyone in Richmond to follow the shelter in place order.

Faculty and staff will not required to work from home and not be permitted to be in their school buildings.

Also Thursday afternoon, Ivy Tech Community College’s Richmond campus will operate virtually Friday and Saturday, Ivy Tech spokesman Benjamin Jones said. Campus is closed Sunday. Students should check IvyLearn and staff should check their email or with their supervisor for further information, he said.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Richmond Community Schools announce Thursday closure

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 as well as classes for both Wednesday and Thursday.

>>Richmond Toxic Fire: Firefighters have 90% of fire out at plastic facility

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

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