Conyers, Georgia – A fire broke out at a chemical plant in Conyers, Georgia, causing a hazardous situation that led to the evacuation of 17,000 residents in Rockdale County. The fire on the roof ignited a water-reactive chemical after a sprinkler malfunctioned at the BioLab facility, according to Rockdale County fire Chief Marian McDaniel.

The incident resulted in a shelter-in-place order for the entire county, with officials warning residents to expect a visible plume of smoke, which is now a chemical reaction, for several days. The fire, which was initially contained to the roof, reignited as crews were removing material from the facility. Although there were employees inside the plant at the time, no injuries have been reported.

Authorities closed a stretch of Interstate 20 in both directions between Salem Road and Turner Hill Road, urging residents to stay away from the area. The evacuation zone was expanded in Conyers as a precaution due to the fire, which led to increased traffic in the area as drivers navigated around closed roads and detours.

This is not the first incident of this magnitude at the plant, as Chief McDaniel mentioned that there have been two similar incidents in her seven years with the fire department. In September 2020, a hazardous chemical release occurred at the same plant, exposing personnel and firefighters to dangerous fumes.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be sampling the plume to determine its contents, while evacuation sites have been set up for affected residents. Rockdale Piedmont Hospital began evacuating some patients, and Newton County Schools announced they would be closed on Monday. County officials will provide updates on social media regarding the threat level to the community as the situation unfolds.

The fire has caused road closures in the area, disrupting traffic flow and leading to the cancellation of church services. Local hospitals are preparing to release public service announcements to assist those affected by the incident. The safety of the community remains a top priority for all agencies involved in managing the aftermath of the fire.