Georgian authorities ask some residents to evacuate after fire breaks out at chemical plant spreading toxic smoke on Sunday.
The fire broke out at the Conyers BioLab plant — located about 32 miles southeast of Atlanta — at 5 a.m. Sunday, FOX 5 Atlanta reported. BioLab is a company that produces swimming pool chemicals, according to its website.
In the afternoon, clouds of smoke emanated from the facility and huge multi-colored clouds still polluted the air. At a news conference Sunday morning, Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel said a sprinkler head at the facility malfunctioned and “caused[ed] a mixture with a water-reactive chemical.
Video of the fire on social media shows gigantic clouds of smoke visible from I-20, which had been blocked between Salem Road and Turner Hill Sunday afternoon.
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Some Georgia residents are evacuating after the Conyers BioLab plant caught fire Sunday. (Ian Stinson via Storyful)
Authorities say those who live south of I-20 are safe, but those who live north of I-20 or between I-20 and Sigman Road are asked to evacuate.
“Please evacuate the area if you find yourself inside this area,” Rockdale County officials said in a Facebook post. “I-20 will be blocked in both directions between Salem Rd and Turner Hill.”
At a news conference Sunday, Rockdale County Sheriff Eric Levett told residents that “now is not the time for sightseeing.”
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The fire broke out Sunday morning at the BioLab plant in Conyers, Georgia. (Ian Stinson via Storyful)
“We strongly encourage everyone, no matter where you are from, but especially Rockdale residents, to stay out of this area for your safety and for the safety of all staff who are already here and required to work here .type of incident,” the official said.
Rockdale County Animal Services asked residents in the evacuation zone to bring their pets with them.
“Please, if you are in the evacuation zone, take your pets with you. Do not leave them behind,” the organization said. “We are loaded and getting the 50-plus shelter animals out of the area and to safety.”
Residents in the evacuation zone are asked to leave their homes. (Ian Stinson via Storyful)
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Fox News Digital has contacted the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office for additional information.
Kyle Schmidbauer of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
