Champion fire’s smoke prompts voluntary evacuation

CHAMPION — Champion Presbyterian Church could be busy again this afternoon taking care of residents living near Monday’s plastics warehouse fire, as the voluntary evacuation continues into Wednesday evening.

Officials say the 3:30 a.m. evacuation today of about 100 neighbors and cancellation of classes at the nearby LaBrae schools complex was prompted by the rain showers late Tuesday that smothered smoke and created smoky, fog-like conditions.

Officials from the Champion Fire Department, Trumbull County Haz-Mat team and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency who attended a press conference today at a nearby church said the fire may continue to produce smoke for several days or several weeks.