Residents in Georgia were asked to evacuate their homes on Sunday after a fire at a chemical plant began emitting toxic smoke. The blaze started at the BioLab facility in Conyers, located 32 miles southeast of Atlanta, at 5 a.m., according to FOX 5 Atlanta. BioLab produces pool chemicals, as stated on its website.
BioLab told Fox News Digital that it is actively responding to the incident, with all employees accounted for and no injuries reported. The company’s team is working on site with first responders and local authorities to assess and contain the situation. Safety remains their top priority.
By afternoon, smoke clouds were visible coming from the facility, with huge multicolored clouds still polluting the air. Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel explained during a press conference that a sprinkler head malfunctioned at the facility, causing a mixture with a water reactive chemical.
Social media footage showed gigantic smoke clouds visible from I-20, which was blocked off between Salem Road and Turner Hill on Sunday afternoon.
Authorities advised that those living south of I-20 are safe, while residents north of I-20 or between I-20 and Sigman Road should evacuate immediately. Rockdale County officials shared a Facebook post urging people within the evacuation zone to leave the area. Interstate 20 will be blocked off in both directions between Salem Road and Turner Hill during the evacuation process.
During Sunday’s press conference, Rockdale County Sheriff Eric Levett warned residents not to do any sightseeing in the affected area. He encouraged people to stay away from the scene for their safety and the safety of all personnel on site. The Rockdale County Animal Services urged residents within the evacuation area to take their pets with them during the evacuation, stating that they are removing over 50 shelter animals from the area to ensure their safety.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office for further information on the incident.
