Ark. Plant Fire Creates Toxic Fumes

JUDSONIA, Ark. (AP) -- A fire at a plastics recycling plant Thursday created toxic fumes, and authorities urged 150 to 200 people to leave their homes.

Residents within a three-mile radius of the plant were told to leave and authorities were diverting traffic, White County Sheriff Pat Garrett said.

The fire broke out about 6 p.m. at the Mid-South Plastics plant. Black smoke continued to billow hours later. Garrett said no injuries were reported.

A county emergency management coordinator said officials were concerned the fire was releasing hydrochloric acid gas into the air.

Because local departments lack equipment to fight this kind of fire, they asked for help from the Little Rock Air Force Base.