A fire and ongoing chemical release at a plant in Conyer, Georgia on a Sunday prompted residents of Rockdale County, with a population of 93,570, to be asked to shelter in place. The county issued a shelter-in-place recommendation valid through midnight, while residents near the plant were under mandatory evacuation orders. The incident began when a sprinkler head malfunctioned at the BioLab plant, causing a mixture with a water-reactive chemical. Roads in Rockdale County were closed due to the fire at the facility. The exact cause of the fire was investigated, with the chief mentioning that the sprinkler system and firefighters may have exacerbated the chemical reaction by applying water to it.
Officials did not confirm the material involved in the release but noted that Clorox-branded pool-cleaning products are manufactured at the facility. These products contain chlorine, which when released can create a gaseous and toxic plume. Personnel were removing the product from the facility when the fire reignited around noon, taking several hours to get it under control. The fire department continued to work on removing the material from the building. The chief explained that while the flames were extinguished, the chemical reaction would still produce a plume for several days. Residents in the area were advised to shelter in place until officials could determine the content of the plume.
Sharon Webb, director of the Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency, emphasized the importance of residents staying put until the content of the plume was identified. McDaniel, the fire chief, provided guidance on how residents should shelter in place, advising them to keep doors and windows closed to prevent exposure to potentially harmful substances. Social media videos showed smoke billowing above the plant, but no injuries were reported outside the facility. KIK Consumer Products, the operator of the BioLab plant, stated that no injuries were reported among its employees at the facility. The company’s team was working with first responders and local authorities to assess and contain the situation, prioritizing the safety of the community.
The incident raised concerns about the potential health risks associated with the chemical release and fire. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that chlorine, a component present in the Clorox products produced at the facility, is unstable and can react with water and other chemicals to form toxic plumes. The chief highlighted the challenge of firefighting with water, which can exacerbate chemical reactions like the one at the BioLab plant. Despite the fire being under control, the ongoing chemical reaction would continue to produce a plume for days, necessitating residents to stay indoors as a precautionary measure.
The fire department’s efforts to remove the material from the building aimed to mitigate the risk of further incidents. Concerns were raised about the potential impact of Hurricane Helene and its aftermath on the fire and chemical release. However, officials stated that it was too early to determine the role of the weather conditions in sparking the incident. As the community waited for more information on the content of the plume, emergency response teams worked diligently to contain the situation and ensure the safety of residents and employees in the vicinity. The incident highlighted the importance of preparedness and swift response in handling chemical emergencies to safeguard public health and prevent further harm to the community.
