Evacuations are still underway after a fire broke out at a chemical plant in Rockdale County.
The sheriff’s office says they have evacuated the area near Biolab on Old Covington Highway. Local emergency management officials say about 17,000 people are needed in Georgia.
Others in the area, including Piedmont Rockdale Hospital, are told to shelter in place for the time being.
Interstate 20 is closed in both directions between Salem Road and Turner Hill Road.
It is still unclear exactly which chemical is burning.
It all started around 5:30 a.m. Sunday when a sprinkler system malfunctioned, which appears to have been mixed with a chemical that created a plume. You can see the smoke billowing for miles into the air, changing color over the course of the day from black, white, red and now to a yellowish hue, as seen through Channel 2’s Michael Doudna on Sunday evening.
The fire brigade had the fire under control on Sunday morning, but the fire flared up again around 12.15 pm
Officials say the fire has now been extinguished, but the building itself has collapsed.
The lingering smoke comes from the water and chemicals causing a reaction.
Authorities are asking people in the direct path of the smoke to evacuate, while others can shelter in place in case the wind shifts.
Firefighters told Channel 2 Action News that they’re trying to get that water-reactive chemical out so they can start fighting the fire.
Unfortunately, they are aware of the problems at this factory. Channel 2 Action News has found at least two previous incidents that have resulted in evacuations and/or road closures from the plant in the past two decades.
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Right now, officials are emphasizing that people should take this seriously.
“If the plume starts, it can become very dangerous and toxic. So until we get those readings from EPA and EPD, we don’t know what those plumes are made of, so we want to keep everyone safe and away from them as much as possible,” said Rockdale County Emergency Management Director Sharon Webb.
In a 2020 incident at the same location, the problem was a chemical commonly used to make pool cleaning products that can create fumes when exposed to water.
We are investigating whether it is the same problem this time.
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Biolab released a statement saying:
“We are actively responding to an incident at our Conyers, Georgia facility. There have been no reports of injuries to our employees. 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.”
The Rockdale County District Attorney’s Office says its office and the Rockdale County Courthouse will be closed Monday because of the fire.
Environmental Protection Agency officials are on scene.
The sheriff’s office has set up several evacuation locations: JP Carr Gym at 90 Hardin St SW, Scout Camp at 218 Scout Road in Covington and Wolverine Gym at 8134 Geiger Street in Covington.
Roads in the area are closed and motorists are asked to avoid the area and follow diversion signs.
Closed roads include:
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Rockdale Industrial
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From Old Covington to Sigman Rd.
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Covington to 2nd St.
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Lester Street. to Sigman Rd.
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Boerstraat. from Sigman Rd. to Rockdale Industrial
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Rockbridge from Sigman Rd. to Main Street.
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