Conyers, Georgia residents east of Atlanta found themselves in a state of emergency on Sunday as a chemical plant fire at the BioLab facility in Rockdale County triggered a massive plume of dark smoke that billowed high into the sky, visible from miles away. Interstate 20 was closed in both directions due to the incident, causing traffic congestion in the area. The fire was ignited by a malfunctioning sprinkler head early Sunday morning, leading to the hazardous release of chemicals into the air.
Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel reported that although there were employees inside the plant at the time of the incident, no injuries have been reported. The local authorities, along with emergency response teams, were actively working to address the situation and contain the chemical exposure. Residents in the affected areas were evacuated as a precautionary measure, while others were advised to shelter in place with doors and windows sealed.
Despite efforts to contain the fire, Sheriff Eric Levett mentioned in a Facebook video that a small fire on the plant’s roof reignited later in the day, continuing to release gray smoke into the air. Authorities were diligently working to extinguish the fire and secure the area. The situation prompted the closure of schools in the Newton County School District for the following day to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff.
Both the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division were actively involved at the scene, monitoring the air quality to assess the composition of the chemical plume. Crews were focused on removing the chemical from the building to prevent further contamination and assess the overall safety of the area for residents to return to their homes. As the situation continued to unfold, officials remained vigilant in their efforts to contain the fire and safeguard the community from any potential harm.