Chemical Plant Fire Forces Mass Evacuations In Suburban Atlanta

A major fire at a chemical plant in Conyers, Georgia, led to mass evacuations and shelter-in-place orders for tens of thousands of residents on Sunday. The BioLab plant, which manufactures pool and spa chemicals, caught fire early in the morning, causing toxic smoke to billow across Rockdale County and parts of neighboring counties.

Authorities were forced to use water to fight the fire, even though it caused a chemical reaction that continued to fuel the blaze. The plant’s sprinkler system, instead of containing the flames, worsened the situation by mixing with the burning chemicals. Despite the severity of the fire, there were no reported injuries among the workers present when the fire started.

Rockdale County officials ordered around 17,000 residents to evacuate and urged others to shelter indoors. The smoke also led to the closure of a stretch of Interstate 20, which runs next to the plant. Nearby Newton County warned residents to turn off air conditioners, bring pets indoors, and be alert for any breathing difficulties.

This incident is not the first for BioLab. Similar fires occurred in 2004 and 2020, raising concerns about the safety of the plant and its continued operations near populated areas. Despite reassurances from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency that the chemical levels in the air were not hazardous, many residents are questioning why such a facility continues to operate in their community.

While the immediate threat has passed, with Interstate 20 reopening and some residents allowed to return home, the situation has reignited debates about industrial safety and the risks posed by chemical plants near residential areas.