CONYERS, Ga. — More than 90,000 residents in a county east of Atlanta were told to keep sheltering in place Monday and businesses were told to stay closed a day after a chemical plant fire sent a massive plume of dark smoke high into the sky that could been seen for miles.
Air quality surveys done by the Environmental Protection Agency and the state Environmental Protection Division “revealed the harmful irritant chlorine” detected in the air from the fire at the BioLab plant in Conyers, Georgia, the Rockdale County government said in statement early Monday.
“For everyone sheltering in place, the best practice is to turn the air conditioning off and keep windows and doors shut,” the statement said.
The fire was brought under control around 4 p.m. Sunday, officials said.
Interstate 20, which was shut down in both directions in the area Sunday, was reopened Monday morning, officials said. Some other roads in the county and county government offices were closed.
People in the northern part of Rockdale County, north of Interstate 20, were ordered to evacuate on Sunday, and others were told to shelter in place.
Sheriff’s office spokesperson Christine Nesbitt did not know the number of people evacuated, although it covered a large portion of the community of Conyers. Media reports said the number was 17,000.
The fire ignited when a sprinkler head malfunctioned around 5 a.m. Sunday at the BioLab plant in Conyers, Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel told reporters. The malfunction caused water to mix with a water-reactive chemical, producing a plume of chemicals.
McDaniel said there were employees inside the plant, but no injuries have been reported, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
BioLab’s website says it is the swimming pool and spa water care division of Lawrenceville, Georgia-based KIK Consumer Products.
The company also said that no injuries were reported.
“Our top priority is ensuring the community’s safety, and our teams are working around-the-clock to respond to the ongoing situation at our facility in Conyers, Georgia,” a spokesperson said in a statement Monday. “We continue to work collaboratively with first responders and local authorities and have deployed specialized teams from out of state to the site to bolster and support their efforts. We are all focused on remediating the situation as rapidly as possible.”
A small fire on the plant’s roof was initially contained but reignited Sunday afternoon, authorities said.
Residents in Georgia are taking shelter following a chemical plant fire that released chlorine into the air. The incident occurred at a plant in the city of Savannah, prompting officials to issue a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents.
Chlorine is a highly toxic gas that can cause respiratory problems, skin irritation, and even death in high concentrations. When released into the air, it can quickly spread and pose a serious threat to public health.
The fire at the chemical plant started in the early hours of the morning and quickly escalated, leading to the release of chlorine gas into the surrounding area. Emergency responders were quick to arrive on the scene and contain the fire, but the damage had already been done.
In response to the incident, local officials urged residents to stay indoors and close all windows and doors to prevent the gas from entering their homes. They also advised residents to turn off air conditioning units and ventilation systems to minimize exposure to the toxic gas.
Residents who were unable to shelter in place were directed to evacuate the area immediately and seek medical attention if they experienced any symptoms of chlorine exposure, such as difficulty breathing, coughing, or skin irritation.
The chemical plant fire serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers posed by industrial facilities in residential areas. It highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and response measures to protect public health and safety in the event of a chemical release.
As the situation continues to unfold, residents in Georgia are urged to stay informed and follow the guidance of local officials to ensure their safety and well-being. It is crucial for communities to be proactive in addressing potential hazards and working together to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
