09/07/2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VANN ROAD FIRE
On Saturday afternoon at 1440, Ohio Township Fire Department along with multiple mutual aid departments responded to multiple reports of a large structure fire at 5622 Vann Road, while enroute the fire was upgraded to a 2nd Alarm based on the numerous 911 calls and a visible smoke column. First arriving apparatus found an approximately 100’ X 100’ exterior fire involving numerous hazardous materials. The alarm was further upgraded to request a full hazardous materials team response from the Evansville Fire Department. Incident Command confirmed with staff on site that all employees had exited the structure and no injuries had occurred.
Crews on scene immediately started monitoring for hazardous materials. Incident Command with assistance from Warrick County Emergency Management established shelter-in-place orders; with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security Watch Desk issuing IPAWS Alerts for those areas affected. Warrick County Dispatch also issued information and updates through social media and other outlets. Crews also began the process of identifying the hazardous materials involved in the fire. The facility has numerous hazardous materials on site; though not all of the hazardous materials on site were involved in the fire. Indiana Department of Enviornmental Management arrived on scene and began an assessment of the site and incident. IDEM was assisted by the Division of Air Quality from the State of Kentucky. This included air monitoring throughout the area designated within the shelter-in-place order.
Priority on scene was the safety and well-being of the public; as weather conditions dictated the shelter-in-place order was adjusted. Additional initial operations included protection of exposures from the fire, the identification of hazardous materials involved in fire and stopping the spread of a brush fire moving towards other structures. It was determined that combustible metals and additional hazardous materials were involved in the fire. IDEM and EPA are in the process of analyzing those additional hazardous materials to make positive identification. Mutiple mitigation plans were developed and implemented to extinguish the fire; at approximately 03:44 on September 7, 2025 the fire was declared extinguished.
IDEM and EPA will be on site and in those areas that were included in the shelter-in-place order to conduct assessments and analysis of the area for possible contamination. Ash fall from the smoke column in the immediate area of the incident is a possibility. If you observe any large ash or debris do not touch the ash or debris. IDEM asks that you notify local authorities so the ash or debris can be analyzed by IDEM and EPA for any hazards. If you experience ash on vehicles or other outside objects further information will be released on proper cleaning procedures for your safety once IDEM and EPA have completed their assessment. The only closure we have to report currently is Vann Road Park Lake; this is due to exposure protection operations. At this time, based on assessments and analysis there is no identified threat or hazard to the public. All shelter-in-place orders have been lifted.
Assisting agencies included: Boonville Fire Department, Evansville Fire Department, Chandler Volunteer Fire Department, Newburgh Volunteer Fire Department, Yankeetown Volunteer Fire Department, Lynnville Volunteer Fire Department, McCutchanville Fire Department, Vandenburgh County Fire Department, Luce Fire Territory, Kaiser Fire Brigade, Warrick County EMS, Warrick County Emergency Management, Warrick County Dispatch, Warrick County Sheriff Office, Warrick County Highway Department, Tri-State Towing, Alcoa, American Red Cross, Indiana Department of Enviornmental Management, Indiana State Fire Marshal, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Division of Air Quality Kentucky and US EPA.
