Multiple explosions inside a chemical plant in Georgia saw authorities order local residents to evacuate because of threats from toxic smoke and potential explosions.
Emergency responders safely evacuated a small handful of employees working when the fire broke out at about 4 a.m this morning at Symrise Chemical plant in Brunswick, Georgia.
According to Captain Eric Proswimmer, who was on the scene with fire crews from Jacksonville, Florida, emergency services were sent to help battle the flames. The fire sent a large plume of thick smoke into the air.
As a precaution, local emergency officials ordered neighbourhoods within a 1-mile radius of the plant to evacuate, said Glynn County government spokesperson Katie Baasen.
People within a 3-mile radius were told to shelter in place.
The neighbourhoods evacuated include Sanctuary Cove, Satilla Shores and Royal Oaks.
The Symrise Chemical plant produces chemicals for the cosmetic industries along with nutrition, taste and fragrances.
Glynn County government spokesperson Katie Baasen said: "It's not widespread, it's not crazy right now. But we've got chemicals that are hazardous and we are staying back from them at this time."
Firefighters had exhausted more than 1 million gallons (3.8 million litres) of water stored in tanks on the site, further complicating efforts to fight the blaze.
He said one firefighter suffering from exhaustion had been taken to a hospital, but there were no other injuries.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Ms Proswimmer said an investigation would be conducted after the fire was extinguished.
Firefighters responded to a chemical explosion just days ago in South Jersey.
On Monday 31 October emergency services were dispatched to Arawak Paving Company in Hammonton, Atlantic County at around 11.50 pm.
Fire crews declared the incident as a hazardous material situation after an explosion at a chemical tank in the site of Atlantic City Expressway.
According to local authorities, the chemical in the burning tank was used for asphalt.
Multiple water tanks and crews were called to the scene to help put out the fire.
Residents were told to stay inside due to huge black clouds in the sky.
The chemical inside the burning tank was xylene, which is normally used to make gasoline.
According to reports, residents, the following day, were left to clean up soot - as the explosion left many locals feeling the effects of the fire.
One resident told FireHouse she was left to deal with her hot tub being full of soot the next day, she said: "No one's going to go in it. I got to start draining it. Clean it.
"Start all over again. Hopefully, it's going to come off. You can see streaks coming down."
The fire was successfully extinguished and authorities confirmed there were no injuries or evacuations.
