STEARNS, Ky. (AP) - A state official says a large fire at a recycling facility in southeastern Kentucky is mostly out.
Energy and Environment Cabinet
spokesman Dick Brown said in a statement Thursday that the blaze at
Kings Tire Recycling in Stearns was 99% extinguished by midmorning.
Brown
said evacuations of two schools and a daycare have been lifted after air
monitoring results showed toxic materials were within acceptable levels.
He said federal environmental officials continue to monitor the air.
The blaze that began Wednesday
burned about 40,000 tires and destroyed all the processing equipment at
the facility in McCreary County.
Brown said the company had a
history of violations, including a notice issued three weeks ago that
said the business had more than 100,000 tires and lacked fire breaks.
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The thick, black smoke forced 12 employees from the recycling facility. They got out safely.
