90,000 Georgia Residents Sheltering in Place After Chemical Fire

A day after a massive chemical fire sent a cloud of toxic chlorine gas into the atmosphere, more than 90,000 residents in Georgia’s Rockdale County were told to remain sheltered indoors on Monday.
The incident, which began early Sunday morning and was brought under control by 4 p.m. local time, caused significant disruption, including the temporary closure of Interstate 20 and various local roads. Although I-20 has since reopened, county offices and some other routes remain closed.
The fire ignited at approximately 5:30 a.m. at the BioLab facility, a division of KIK Consumer Products specializing in swimming pool and spa water care products, located in Conyers, Georgia. Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel told reporters on Sunday that the blaze was triggered when water from the building’s sprinkler system mixed with a water-reactive chemical, and wiring sparked the fire.
McDaniel said there were employees inside the plant, but no injuries have been reported, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Newsweek reached out the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office via email on Monday for comment.
Air quality surveys conducted by both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state Environmental Protection Division (EPD) confirmed the presence of chlorine, a harmful irritant, causing concern among residents and authorities in this community that is home to a mix of residential areas and industrial operations.
In response, officials emphasized the importance of residents keeping doors and windows sealed while turning off air conditioning to minimize exposure.
“For everyone sheltering in place, the best practice is to turn the air conditioning off and keep windows and doors shut,” the Rockdale County government said in a statement early Monday.
The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) ordered evacuations for residents in the northern part of the county on Sunday, while those unable to leave were instructed to shelter in place with windows and doors tightly sealed. The evacuation zone was updated at 1 p.m. local time on Sunday, expanding the area where residents were asked to leave their homes.
The number of people evacuated remains unclear, according to the sheriff’s office spokesperson Christine Nesbitt, although it covered a large portion of the community of Conyers. However, media reports said the number was 17,000.
To accommodate evacuees, the sheriff’s office has established several evacuation sites, including JP Carr Gym, Scout Camp in Covington and Wolverine Gym in Covington. These locations provide temporary shelter for those displaced by the emergency.
Although the initial blaze was contained, authorities warn that ongoing efforts to manage the site could take time, and residents are urged to remain cautious as the situation continues to unfold.
In addition, local officials are urging residents to stay informed through official channels and to comply with all evacuation and shelter-in-place orders.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.