A chemical fire at a swimming pool supply plant in Rockdale County, located about 24 miles east of Atlanta, has forced the closure of Interstate 20 and prompted evacuations in the area.
The incident, which began early Sunday morning, has unleashed a plume of potentially hazardous chemicals into the air, causing concern among residents and authorities in this community that is home to a mix of residential areas and industrial operations.
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. Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel told reporters that the blaze was triggered when water from the building’s sprinkler system mixed with a water-reactive chemical, and wiring sparked the fire.
The exact nature of the chemical involved remains unclear.
“We are actively responding to an occurrence at our facility in Conyers, Georgia,” a BioLab representative said in a statement provided to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Our employees are accounted for with no injuries reported. Our team is on the scene, working with first responders and local authorities to assess and contain the situation.”
The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) ordered evacuations for residents in the northern part of the county, 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., expanding the area where residents were asked to leave their homes.
The Georgia Department of Transportation took the step of closing Interstate 20 in both directions between Salem Road and Turner Hill Road, causing significant traffic disruptions in the eastern Atlanta metropolitan area. Officials have not provided an estimate for when the highway might reopen.
Representatives from the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been deployed to the scene to assess the situation and monitor air quality reports the Associated Press. The chemical plume has been observed changing color, shifting from white to black and then to orange smoke billowing from the building.
Newsweek contacted the RCSO and EPA via email on Sunday for comment.
Residents have reportedly witnessed ash falling on their yards and cars, further highlighting the potential environmental impact of the chemical fire. The Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency has urged residents to stay indoors and keep windows closed to minimize exposure to any potential hazards.
Firefighters are carefully removing pallets of the water-reactive chemical from the building; a process authorities expect will take the entire day.
The frequency of major incidents at this facility has raised alarms about industrial safety in the area. Chief McDaniel revealed to local station WSBTV that this is the third significant event at the plant during her seven-year tenure with the fire department, indicating a potentially troubling pattern of safety issues.
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.
Authorities have shut down several key routes, including portions of Rockdale Industrial, Old Covington Highway, Sigman Road, Lester Road, Farmer Road, and Rockbridge Road. Drivers are being asked to avoid the area and follow detour signs to navigate around the affected zones.
As the situation continues to develop, local officials are urging residents to stay informed through official channels and to comply with all evacuation and shelter-in-place orders.
