Thousands of people were forced to evacuate after a fire broke out at a recycling plant in Richmond, Ind., on Tuesday afternoon, releasing toxic black smoke, officials said.

Evacuation orders affected about 2,000 residents within a half-mile of the fire at 358 NW F Street.

The Wayne County Emergency Management Agency advised residents downwind of the fire but outside the evacuation zone to shelter in place.

Drone videos shared by Kevin Shook of Global Media Enterprise show an aerial view of the massive fire engulfing the industrial site Tuesday as firefighters battle the flames from the perimeter.

According to the Richmond Fire Department, the fire started in a semi-truck trailer loaded with plastic, and spread.

“Once the fire got out of control, we backed out real quick," Richmond Fire Chief Tim Brown said at a press conference.

Indiana State Fire Marshal Steve Jones said the smoke is “definitely toxic,” and officials said the evacuation order could change if the the wind shifts.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management are on the scene.