Residents urged to leave area or seek shelter following chemical fire in Georgia

In Conyers, Georgia, residents experienced a chemical scare prompting evacuations and sheltering in place after a fire broke out at a chemical plant. The Rockdale County Fire Chief, Marian McDaniel, mentioned that a sprinkler system malfunctioned at the BioLab plant early Sunday morning, resulting in water mixing with a water-reactive chemical and creating a chemical plume. The specific chemicals involved were not immediately identified.

Despite a small fire on the plant’s roof, it was quickly contained by emergency responders. Chief McDaniel assured the public that the situation was being well-managed to prevent panic, stating that efforts were underway to further control and resolve the incident thoroughly.

Some individuals residing near the chemical plant were evacuated, while others in the impacted area were instructed to shelter in place with doors and windows securely closed. The exact number of evacuees was not disclosed by Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Christine Nesbitt.

Government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division were present on-site to assist local authorities in monitoring the air quality for a better understanding of the chemicals present in the plume. Crews were actively working to relocate the hazardous chemicals away from the water source within the building.

Once the situation is deemed safe and the chemicals are successfully contained, officials will assess the area to determine when residents can return to their homes. An evacuation center was set up at J.P. Carr gym in Conyers to provide assistance to those affected by the incident. The unified efforts of emergency responders and government agencies aim to safeguard the community and mitigate any potential risks associated with the chemical exposure in Conyers.