A fire at a chemical company in Georgia caused toxic smoke to rise into the air, prompting local authorities to ask some residents to leave the area on Sunday, September 29.
The incident occurred at the BioLab facility, located about 32 miles southeast of Atlanta, in Conyers. The fire broke out at around 5 am. BioLab is known for making chemicals used in swimming pools.
Authorities Respond to Chemical Fire in Georgia
A spokesperson for BioLab informed Fox News Digital that the company is actively responding to the incident, ensuring that all necessary actions are taken to protect the community.
Sheriff Eric Levett of Rockdale County held a press conference, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and advising locals not to come and watch the scene, as it was not a time for sightseeing.
The fire created a massive cloud of dark smoke that could be seen from miles away, raising safety concerns for nearby residents. As a result, some homeowners were ordered to evacuate, while others were advised to stay indoors and keep their windows and doors closed.
The Georgia Department of Transportation announced on social media that Interstate 20 was closed in both directions due to the smoke and fire, which led to heavy traffic in the area.
Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel explained that the fire started because of a malfunctioning sprinkler head at the BioLab facility. When a water-reactive is chemical combined with water, it caused a chemical plume to form. Although there were workers present in the factory at the time, thankfully, no injuries have been reported.
The towering smoke cloud was visible as far as 30 miles away, even from Atlanta's international airport, which is located south of the city. Chief McDaniel remarked that the situation would improve significantly once they could remove the chemical from the building and allow it to burn off safely.
As officials responded, they were uncertain about the specific chemicals involved in the plume. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division and the federal Environmental Protection Agency sent representatives to monitor the air quality and determine what was in the smoke.
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Evacuations Continue, Schools Close Amid Ongoing Fire Concerns
The BioLab facility, which is part of KIK Consumer Products, specializes in water care for pools and spas. Their automated phone message requested people to call back during business hours, indicating they were busy dealing with the emergency. In a statement to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a BioLab spokesperson confirmed that the company was collaborating with local authorities and first responders to manage the situation effectively.
Sheriff Levett reiterated the need for safety in a video shared on Facebook. He noted that while the initial fire on the plant's roof had been put out, it flared up again later in the day. He urged residents to avoid the area and assured them that officials were working diligently to contain the fire.
The Rockdale County Sheriff's Office reported that residents in the northern region of the county, particularly those north of Interstate 20, were advised to leave. Christine Nesbitt, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office, mentioned that she did not have an exact number of people evacuated but confirmed the precautionary measures being taken.
Due to the emergency, the Newton County School District announced that classes would be canceled on Monday, September 30. In their statement, the school district explained that they had decided it was best to close all schools out of an abundance of caution for the safety, health, and well-being of all students and staff.
Per AP News, Chief McDaniel reported that workers were working to remove the chemicals from the building and prevent them from entering the water supply. Once the chemical situation is stabilized, officials will assess the area and notify residents when it is safe to return home.
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