A fire at a chemical plant in Conyers, Georgia, led to evacuations, shelter-in-place advisories, and road closures in the area on Sunday morning. The incident occurred at BioLab, a manufacturer of pool and spa treatment products, around 5 a.m. The fire broke out on the roof of the facility when water from a malfunctioned sprinkler head came into contact with a water-reactive chemical, producing a plume.
Firefighters were able to initially contain the flames, but the fire reignited hours later. The fire was eventually extinguished around 4 p.m., but the plume from the chemical reaction continued to be visible for miles, causing concerns for area residents. Air quality surveys revealed the emission of chlorine, a harmful irritant, from the facility.
Exposure to chlorine can result in various health issues, including burning of the eyes, nose, and mouth, coughing, choking, nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness. As a precautionary measure, all residents of Rockdale County were strongly advised to shelter in place with their air conditioning off and windows closed.
Approximately 17,000 residents were asked to evacuate the area between Sigman Road and Interstate 20. Roads in the vicinity were closed, and the interstate was blocked in both directions. A local hospital began moving patients to other facilities as a safety measure, and urgent medical cases were directed to neighboring hospitals.
Authorities emphasized the seriousness of the situation, urging residents to avoid the affected area and refrain from sightseeing. The response efforts involved multiple agencies, including GEMA, FEMA, and local emergency services, working together to manage the crisis.
This incident is not the first at BioLab, as a similar event occurred in September 2020 due to a thermal decomposition event. The recent fire resulted in the collapse of the chemical plant building's roof, further escalating the situation.
Neighboring Newton County residents were also alerted about the incident and advised on precautions to take if they detected a chlorine odor. The situation remains under close monitoring as authorities work to address the aftermath of the fire and ensure the safety of the community.
