Georgia biolab shelter-in-place order extended indefinitely as fire triggers unstoppable chemical reaction
The 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 Rockdale County residents after the BioLab fire in Conyers sent a huge plume of smoke high into the sky that was visible from miles away.
Officials say air quality studies have detected chlorine in the air coming from the laboratory.
BioLab produces products for the treatment of swimming pools and spas, including chlorine.
The fire on Sunday afternoon led to about 17,000 evacuations after a sprinkler at the facility malfunctioned and sprayed water on a chemical, leading to an explosion.
The order was issued Monday for all of Rockdale County following the BioLab fire in Conyers
The Sunday afternoon fire led to about 17,000 evacuations after a sprinkler at the facility malfunctioned and sprayed water on a chemical, leading to an explosion
Air quality studies conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency and the state Environmental Protection Division “revealed the harmful chlorine irritant” detected in the air from the BioLab plant fire in Conyers, Georgia, Rockdale County government said early Monday in a statement.
“For anyone sheltering in place, the best practice is to turn off air conditioning and keep windows and doors closed,” said the statement on the accident that has affected the entire province.
Fire Chief Marian McDaniel said the smoke could linger for several days.
It is not clear what health risks the smoke poses.
The fire was under control around 4 p.m. Sunday, officials said.
Interstate 20, which was closed in both directions in the area on Sunday, reopened Monday morning, officials said.
The fire was under control around 4 p.m. Sunday, officials said
Fire Chief Marian McDaniel said the smoke could 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 at the factory in the past ten years. The laboratory experienced a ‘thermal decomposition event’ that led to a fire in September 2020.
The building’s warehouse was damaged after strong winds from Hurricane Laura forced rainwater into the building, which caused the previous fire, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board found.
A BioLab representative released a statement saying, “Our employees have been accounted for and no injuries have been reported. Our team is on site and working with first responders and local authorities to assess and contain the situation.”
“As always, the safety of our community remains our top priority.”