A significant fire at a chemical lab in Conyers, Georgia, has led to a shelter-in-place order for thousands of people.

The incident occurred at BioLab, located on Old Covington Highway, where the facility manufactures pool and spa treatment products, including chlorine.

The fire ignited early Sunday morning, sending massive clouds of hazardous smoke into the sky, prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders.

According to the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, the fire started around 5 a.m. EST when a sprinkler system malfunctioned and sprayed water on a chemical, sparking an explosion.

The fire has continued to burn throughout the day, with reports indicating that it was still active as of 4:15 p.m.

The hazardous smoke cloud, drifting northeast, has caused significant concern for local residents and emergency services, who are already under pressure from the impact of Hurricane Helene, which recently passed through the state.

#BREAKING: Shelter-in-Place and Evacuations Ordered Due to Biolab Chemical Plant Fire releasing massive amounts toxic smoke

#Conyers | #Georgia

Currently, a shelter-in-place order and evacuations are underway as numerous hazmat crews and other emergency services respond to… pic.twitter.com/zvDpvnYIrv

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) September 29, 2024

Officials have issued an evacuation order for residents between Sigman Road and Interstate 20, instructing them to leave the area immediately.

Rockdale County Sheriff Eric Levett urged residents to avoid the area, stating, “It’s burning pretty good. We’re trying to get that under control, but at the same time we’re also trying to get the traffic under control.”

Roads around the area of the blaze have been closed, with Interstate 20 blocked in both directions between Salem Road and Turner Hill.

The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency has also issued a shelter-in-place order for residents in the northern part of the county, urging them to stay indoors and keep windows closed to avoid exposure to the hazardous smoke. “Any event, the wind shift, this thing can change really quickly,” Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel warned. “But once again, shelter in place, windows and doors closed.”

Witnesses in the area have reported seeing thick black smoke filling the sky and ash falling onto their properties.

Many local church services were advised to cancel, and services that were already in progress were told to dismiss early.

Several evacuation sites have been set up, including JP Carr Gym, Scout Camp, and Wolverine Gym, to assist those displaced by the fire.

Efforts are currently underway to remove pallets containing the water-reactive chemical from the building.

However, it remains unclear exactly which chemical caused the massive blaze. BioLab has experienced a similar incident in the past.

In September 2020, the facility was the site of another fire, attributed to a “thermal decomposition event” after rainwater entered the building during Hurricane Laura, damaging the warehouse.

BioLab representatives released a statement confirming that no employees had been injured in the fire. “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,” the company said. “As always, the safety of our community remains our top priority.”

Meteorologist Brad Nitz from WSBTV reported that the fire is being detected on Smoketracker, with the southwest wind pushing the smoke into neighboring Walton County.

Walton County Emergency Management Director Carl Morrow issued an alert to local residents, advising them to stay indoors if they detect a chlorine odor. “If you smell a chlorine odor, you should turn off your air conditioners, turn on your ceiling fans, and if possible, bring your outside animals indoors,” Morrow said.

No injuries have been reported, but the situation remains critical as the fire continues to burn.

Emergency responders are working to contain the blaze and ensure the safety of the surrounding community.

Further updates are expected once the chemical is safely removed from the facility.

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