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2 months ago
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A shelter in place order has been extended indefinitely after a fire at a chemical plant in Georgia sparked an unstoppable chemical reaction.
The order was issued for more than 90,000 residents of Rockdale County after the fire at BioLab in Conyers sent a massive plume of dark smoke high into the sky that could been seen from miles away.
The fire was extinguished on Sunday but officials say air quality surveys have detected chlorine in the air coming out of the lab.
BioLab manufactures pool and spa treatment products - including chlorine.
The Sunday afternoon fire led to about 17,000 evacuations after a sprinkler at the facility malfunctioned and sprayed water on a chemical, sparking an explosion.
The order was issued for all of Rockdale County on Monday after the fire at BioLab in Conyers
Air quality surveys done by the Environmental Protection Agency and the state Environmental Protection Division 'revealed the harmful irritant chlorine' detected in the air from the fire at the BioLab plant in Conyers, Georgia, the Rockdale County Government said in statement early Monday.
'For everyone sheltering in place, the best practice is to turn the air conditioning off and keep windows and doors shut,' the statement said of the accident that has affected the entire county.
Fire Chief Marian McDaniel said the smoke may linger for several days.
Social media users have reported a chlorine smell as far as Atlanta.
The Sunday afternoon fire led to about 17,000 evacuations after a sprinkler at the facility malfunctioned and sprayed water on a chemical, sparking an explosion
Atlanta's Emergency Management said on X: 'We are investigating the numerous reports of a haze and strong chemical smell across Fulton County. 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.
'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.'
It's not clear what health hazards the smoke might pose.
The fire was brought under control around 4pm Sunday, officials said.
Interstate 20, which was shut down in both directions in the area on Sunday, was reopened Monday morning, officials said.
The fire was brought under control around 4pm Sunday, officials said
Fire Chief Marian McDaniel said the smoke may linger for several days
People in the northern part of Rockdale County, north of Interstate 20, were ordered to evacuate on Sunday and others were told to shelter in place.
This is the second fire within the past decade at the facility. The lab experienced a 'thermal decomposition event' that led to a fire in September of 2020.
The building's warehouse was damaged after strong winds from Hurricane Laura allowed rainwater into the building, which is what started the previous fire, the US Chemical Safety Board found.
A representative from BioLab released a statement which said: 'Our employees are accounted for with no injuries reported. Our team is on the scene, working with first responders and local authorities to assess and contain the situation.'
'As always, the safety of our community remains our top priority.'
English (US)