Residents living east of Atlanta were evacuated while others were told to shelter in place following a massive fire at a chemical plant in the area, which sent massive plumes of dark smoke into the sky.
According to local media, the fire began when a sprinkler head malfunctioned early Sunday at the BioLab plant in Conyers, according to Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel. That led water to mix with water-reactive chemicals, releasing the plume.
The official added that employees were inside the plant but no injuries have been reported so far. The Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency said it's investigating the reports, which include "haze and strong chemical smell," after a "change in conditions" compared to Sunday.
Residents of Conyers, Georgia have been placed under shelter-in-place orders, while authorities have mandated a full evacuation in the town, located approximately 40 miles east of Atlanta, due to a significant fire at a biolab.
— ʙʀʏᴛᴛʟᴇɪɢʜ🪶 (@LeighBrytt) September 29, 2024
A chlorine and pool chemical factory in Georgia… pic.twitter.com/zgXiH4YWVa
"We are investigating and will pass along any and all information we receive. If you have concerns, STAY INSIDE, CLOSE windows and doors, TURN OFF A/C & other ventilation system;" the agency told residents who have not evacuated. About 17,000 have been evacuated, according to local press.
"We do believe it's related to the BioLab fire, but why we are seeing the change in conditions is what we are attempting to figure out. Latest plume modeling indicates it moving to the northeast, which it is clearly not," the agency added.
More than 90,000 residents have been told to shelter in place indefinitely after the change in conditions.
BREAKING: Large fire at BioLab in Conyers, Georgia sends massive plume of smoke over sky, I-20 being blocked off, residents told to leave. pic.twitter.com/raznAUjs9r
— sepp huaba (@sepphuaba5) September 30, 2024
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