BioLab plant fire in Georgia leads to evacuation and shelter-in-place orders

Plumes of smoke billow from a chemical plant fire in Conyers, Georgia. Photo / dixon @CLD225

Authorities in the US state of Georgia on Sunday issued evacuation orders after a chemical plant caught fire near Atlanta, sending up plumes of black smoke.

A sprinkler malfunction early in the morning caused water to react with a chemical, sparking a fire, said Marian McDaniel, chief of Rockdale County Fire Rescue.

“Once the sprinkler head activated, it mixed with that chemical and from that, the wiring and things, caused the fire,” she said.

🚨#BREAKING: Shelter-in-Place and Evacuations Ordered Due to Biolab Chemical Plant Fire releasing massive amounts toxic smoke

📌#Conyers | #Georgia

Currently, a shelter-in-place order and evacuations are underway as numerous hazmat crews and other emergency services respond to… pic.twitter.com/zvDpvnYIrv

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) September 29, 2024

While officials described the fire at the plant, affiliated with the company BioLab, as small, the reaction released huge plumes of smoke, according to footage broadcast on television.

Evacuations were ordered in the area surrounding the plant while other residents were told to shelter in place and keep their windows closed and air conditioners turned off.

Multiple roads were closed. It was unclear how many people were affected by the evacuation or shelter-in-place orders.

The plant is about 40km from Atlanta.

BioLab, which produces pool and spa chemicals, told local media no injuries had been reported among its employees.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency was alerted to the accident, McDaniel said.