Authorities in the Atlanta area are dealing with a strong chemical smell following a chemical plant fire in Conyers, Georgia. The fire at the BioLab plant began on Sunday and has forced over 90,000 residents to remain sheltered in place due to the presence of the harmful irritant chlorine in the air. The Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency is investigating reports of a haze and strong chemical smell across Fulton County, likely related to the fire at BioLab. The Rockdale County government has ordered residents to remain sheltered in place until further notice.
The fire at the BioLab plant began on Sunday morning and was extinguished later that afternoon, but smoke clouds were seen emanating from the facility. Due to a malfunctioning sprinkler head causing a mixture with a water reactive chemical, some residents were ordered to evacuate. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division found the presence of chlorine in the air emitting from the BioLab fire. Rockdale County government strongly advises all residents to shelter in place and recommends that businesses close operations until the shelter-in-place order is lifted.
BioLab, the company that produces pool chemicals, has not yet issued a comment in response to the situation. The company has stated that their top priority is ensuring the community’s safety, and they are working around-the-clock to respond to the ongoing situation at their facility in Conyers. Specialized teams from out of state have been deployed to the site to support local authorities and first responders in remediating the situation as quickly as possible. Despite the severity of the situation, Mayor Andre Dickens has stated that no warnings or advisories have been issued in Atlanta at this time.
The government agencies in the Atlanta area are working diligently to ensure the safety of residents and address the impact of the chemical plant fire. The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department and the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport are conducting air quality control checks to monitor the situation. Rockdale County has advised everyone sheltering in place to turn off air conditioning, keep windows and doors shut, and limit outdoor exposure to reduce the risk of exposure to the harmful irritant chlorine. Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire and take necessary precautions to protect public safety.
Despite the challenges posed by the chemical plant fire, the community and authorities are working together to address the situation. Mayor Dickens and other officials are focused on keeping residents safe and informed about the ongoing developments. With specialized teams on site and support from local agencies, efforts are being made to remediate the situation and minimize the impact on the environment and public health. The government agencies involved are working collaboratively to handle the aftermath of the fire and ensure that the community remains safe during this challenging time.
