PLAINFIELD, Conn. (AP) – The town of Plainfield is getting $250,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to clean up debris in yards around the burned-out InterRoyal Mill.

A massive fire on Tuesday at the vacant furniture factory scattered debris, possibly containing lead and asbestos, throughout the neighborhood. Dozens of families nearest the blaze were temporarily evacuated from their homes.

The cleanup, overseen by an EPA-hired contractor, is being done by two private firms.

First Selectman Donald Gladding said he’s looking for even more federal and state help. Gladding said he plans to meet Monday with representatives of Sens. Christopher Dodd and Joseph Lieberman and U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons as well as state officials to discuss getting federal and state assistance for demolition and cleanup.

“I want to have the entire complex demolished, including the section of the mill that didn’t burn,” Gladding said. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s all a hazard to the town and we need to get it demolished and removed.”

Fire officials believe the blaze was set but are still trying to determine whether it was arson or an accident. There were no injuries.

The former office furniture factory shut down in 1985 when it went bankrupt. Part of the site was used for plastic recycling in the early 1990s, but the complex has been vacant since 1992.

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Information from: Norwich Bulletin

AP-ES-04-30-05 1749EDT