April 16, 2023
At 4:oo p.m. today, the evacuation was lifted for those impacted by Tuesday’s fire in Richmond. The Wayne County Emergency Management Agency, in consultation with the Wayne County Health Department and their State health partners, reviewed several sets of testing data provided by the Environmental Protection Agency and officially determined it is safe for residents to return home. Businesses and schools in the evacuation zone are able to resume operation.
In an ongoing effort to support residents, free cleanup kits are available at the Wayne County Health Department, located at 100 S. Fifth Street beginning today from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. These kits should be used for indoor cleaning. The Wayne County Health Department is providing detailed instructions on how and what to clean in your home or business. General guidance is that normal household cleaning supplies are recommended. Odors from the fire may linger but are not deemed harmful.
As a reminder, please do not move or try to clean up any suspicious debris believed to be from the fire. To register the property for debris removal, fill out this form. These materials may contain asbestos, a substance that releases microscopic fibers when disturbed.
Editor's Note: Mayor Dave Snow is available for media interviews today (Sunday, April 16, 2023) from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. and tomorrow (Monday, April 17, 2023) 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.. Please call (765) 983-7580 to schedule a call to discuss the information shared during today’s announcement.
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