PLAINFIELD, Conn. (AP) – Homes were evacuated and residents urged to stay inside Tuesday night as a fire at the vacant InterRoyal Mill complex sent flames shooting into the air.

Smoke could be seen for miles as every available police officer and firefighter was called in to assist. Fire departments from around the region and state and federal environmental officials responded to the scene.

The fire continued to burn late Tuesday. Hundreds of homes in the area were without power.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the buildings in the complex are collapsing and contained asbestos. Residents with debris in their yards were asked to call the fire department rather than removing it themselves.

No injuries were reported from the fire, which started about 7 p.m., and the cause was not immediately clear.

The mill closed its doors after the office furniture manufacturing business went bankrupt in 1985. Part of the site was used for plastic recycling in the early 1990s, but the complex has been vacant since 1992.

Plainfield police recommended that residents keep their windows closed because of smoke and possible contaminants.

Witnesses reported explosions, although First Selectman Donald Gladding said he was not aware of any hazardous or explosive materials in the building.

Fire officials have said for years that a fire in the mill would force the evacuation of hundreds of people, the Norwich Bulletin reported last year. Chemicals from years of manufacturing have seeped into the building and surrounding land.

The EPA halted demolition in 2000 after finding asbestos.

The town’s former economic director, Michael Saad, was sentenced to two years probation last year for knowingly violating federal asbestos regulations by authorizing demolition work. Vermont contractor Edward Carroll was also sentenced to probation for unlawful demolition.

It wasn’t clear how the fire would affect future plans for the site.

At a referendum last month, Plainfield residents approved the transfer of more than $1 million in tax liens the town holds on the mill property to a business group that wants to clean it up.