By Lindsay Doty
**This story has been updated as of Feb. 1
It was a battle of fire, ice and garbage on Wednesday as multiple fire departments worked day and night to put out the flames at Ray’s Trash Services on U.S 40 in Clayton, just west of Plainfield.
The fire call came in just before 10 a.m. after flames were reported inside the company’s transfer building – a facility used to sort garbage before it’s taken to the landfill. Responders say all employees made it out safely and no injuries were reported.
“It was difficult because we had to keep pulling out all the compacted trash in small areas, and it was like working with a large mulch pile,” explained Plainfield Fire Territory Chief Joel Thacker.
His department along with Avon-Washington Township, Brownsburg Fire Territory, Decatur Township Wayne Township, Liberty Township and Mill Creek Volunteer Fire Department all responded. Firefighters dealt with extremely cold conditions and freezing equipment as temperatures were well below zero. Crews said they had to keep the hoses running so they would not freeze up.
The Plainfield school district provided several buses at the scene to serve as mobile units to keep responders warm.
“We had to keep rotating crews in out of because of the temperatures,” Thacker said. “It’s one big effort. The firefighters out there were amazing. It was very cold to work in and I couldn’t be more proud of the men and women.”
Crews remained on the scene until midnight. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
**Jan. 30
Firefighters from multiple departments have been battling fire and ice at Ray’s Trash in Clayton on Wednesday after a two-alarm fire at the building located off U.S. 40 west of Plainfield.
The fire started around 10 a.m. Large plumes of smoke was reported by drivers from the highway.
Liberty Township and Plainfield Fire along with multiple fire departments from Hendricks and Marion County are working the scene in frigid temperatures. Crews have shared pictures of frozen equipment and gear.
Wayne Township Fire Department posted this about the job to Facebook:
“BRUTAL! But no matter the conditions, the fight doesn’t stop until the job is done. #fireandice”
No word on the cause of the fire.
More than 100 comments immediately poured in online praying for the responders working in subzero temperatures.
This story is developing.
