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\"We want everyone to limit their exposure to that black smoke and stay far away from the area,\" he added. \"Not only is it a dangerous area right now ... limiting your exposure to this black smoke is the best thing for your health.\"

A community help line will be established, and Richmond Community Schools were closed Wednesday.

Jason Sewell of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency told ABC News Thursday that samples have tested positive for chrysotile asbestos. The agency is urging residents who may have debris in their front yards to not mow the grass over fears asbestos in the debris may get kicked up into the air.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan told reporters that the agency was on the ground in Richmond within hours of the fire and began monitoring at 15 mobile locations.

\"The EPA team is on the ground and will collect debris samples in surrounding communities to determine whether asbestos-containing materials may have been left at the site,\" Regan said Wednesday.

\"PHOTO:
Michael Conroy/AP
PHOTO: Firefighters continue to pour water on an industrial fire in Richmond, Ind., Wednesday, April 12, 2023.
>

Richmond resident Aaron Stevens told ABC News that he saw a \"huge pillar of smoke\" and heard \"explosions and pops\" from his home, located roughly a half mile from the plant.

\"There is an odor, a burning odor,\" Stevens said. \"What is more disheartening is the fact that I'm hearing explosions and pops this far away.\"

Stevens' home is located within the evacuation zone, though he said he has opted not to leave because he is hobbled by a knee injury. The police officer and school board member said he has a plan if he gets another evacuation alert.

\"If it gets to the point where I realize that this is really going to be unsafe, I'm within just a minute or two away from having someone come and get me,\" Stevens said.

Richmond resident Brad Walton described what smelled like burning tires from his home, located about 5 miles from the fire.

\"It's just not a good smell,\" Walton told ABC News, adding that he could see the smoke plume in Hamilton, Ohio, roughly 35 miles away.

ABC News' Victoria Arancio, Stephanie Ebbs, Josh Margolin, Ivan Pereira and Morgan Winsor contributed to this report.

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