PREBLE COUNTY — Preble County EMA Director Suzy Cottingim last week shared information regarding the industrial fire which began Tuesday, April 11 and still burned in nearby Richmond, Indiana on Wednesday, April 12.

According to fire officials, the fire at the My Way Trading Warehouse, at 358 NW F St. in Richmond, is not expected to spread beyond the property of origin, although it is expected to continue to burn and produce smoke, soot and ash for several days, Cottingim said in a press release Wednesday.

The Regional Air Pollution Control Agency (RAPCA) and Preble County Public Health are monitoring the status of the Richmond, Indiana industrial fire. At this time RAPCA’s air monitors have not detected any unusually elevated levels of particulate matter or carbon monoxide.

“Public Health is in contact with the Ohio EPA who is working with the US EPA to conduct further air monitoring near the site of the fire. The EPA will post results of the testing when available,” Cottingim noted.

“If you are near the site of the fire, including in Preble or Darke County, the US EPA is recommending that individuals should not handle any debris that has fallen from the sky until it can be determined what it consists of,” Cottingim warned. “Once they determine what was burned, additional information will be shared how to dispose of the debris.”

Currently in Ohio there are no evacuation or shelter in place orders. “However, if you are in an area affected by smoke and have chronic breathing conditions such as asthma or emphysema, you should consider staying inside to minimize exposure to outdoor air. Anyone with acute breathing issues should consult with their doctor or seek help from an emergency room,” Cottingim said.

Current status of the incident at press time Thursday:

•Smoke haze can be seen in Preble, Darke, Butler, and Montgomery Counties.

•The US EPA has been taking air sampling test in Ohio (New Paris area) with no toxic compounds noted at ground level.

•The Regional Air Pollution Control Agency, Office of Environmental Health has fixed site air quality monitors in Preble County, Dayton and Springfield in Ohio and has normal findings in air quality.

•City of Richmond has established a Community Help Line at 765-973-9300 and a website: www.richmondindiana.gov/news/warehouse-fire-information.

•Residents that have debris from this fire in their yard are asked to leave it alone, not pick it up or mow over it. US EPA has taken samples of the ash and are waiting those lab reports to determine a best means of disposal.

•Updates to air sampling and debris testing are being pushed out to the website that has been established for this incident, located at www.richmondindiana.gov/news/warehouse-fire-information.

Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4061 and follow on Twitter @emowenjr.