HENRY, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Henry County Sheriff’s Office has issued a shelter-in-place order for people in the immediate area of a plastics recycling and packaging company fire in Henry, especially those with respiratory issues.
Flames and thick smoke could be seen rising high over Henry County all day Friday following a fire at the Sigma Renew 360 building.
All 8 employees who work there were evacuated, and nobody was hurt.
Ricky Wade, the police chief in Henry, explained this all started because employees were burning pallets outside. This is common practice, but when the wind picked up, it turned into a much more serious situation.
"It was kind of a shock, it still is," said Henry resident David Porter, whose heart goes out to the employees affected. "I do worry about the people who work here because there aren't a whole lot of jobs around here, you know, small town."
Over 15 agencies, including in neighboring counties, have rushed in to help.
Chief Wade assured people the fire is contained — it won't go beyond their parameters.
Even so, because of the size of the site, the strength of the wind, and the materials involved, it will take several days to put the fire out.
In the meantime, nearly 100 firefighters and emergency responders are needed to keep fighting the flames.
"I'm really grateful for the firefighters and everybody coming over here and helping out. I'm just really glad they could come," added another nearby resident, Chanel Reyes.
The police said Mark I Drive is currently shut down between Pioneer Road and Derrington Avenue. Police asked the public to avoid the area while traveling.
A Tennessee National Guard helicopter supporting training operations in the region has been assisting response efforts by conducting water drops on hot spots inaccessible to ground crews.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said it remains in contact with local and state partners and will continue monitoring the situation.
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