With the worst over, black plumes of smoke extinguished and air quality given a thumbs up, neighbors in the area of the fire in Ghent are checking out the damage on the home front. Erin Vannella has more.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

COLUMBIA COUNTY, N.Y. -- One Ghent resident says once he realized the smoke was coming from TCI, he told his wife they need to leave immediately.

Dmitri Bassakalif says black ash and soot fell into his swimming pool and onto his car. He and his wife returned home after emergency officials lifted the 15 mile evacuation radius. He says residents want more instructions about what to do next.

"They were suppose to come and tell me what to do. First they said soap and water? I don't buy it, sorry,” Bassakalif said. “I'm so close. That is what I worry about. They were here first, but we do have to coexist. I know where we live. Industrial park, on the other side. Shame on us."

Columbia County Emergency Management is advising anyone within the 15 mile radius to use gloves and long pants when cleaning up the mess.