A chemical fire sparked by a malfunctioning sprinkler has led to the evacuation of 17,000 Georgians from Conyers area, with 90,000 Georgians east of the Atlanta metro area, being told to shelter in their homes on Monday until further notice as a “haze and strong chemical smell” erupted into a large black and brown plume of smoke pillaring into the clouds.
The fires began on Monday morning, the 29th, in a Conyers BioLab plant, which manufactured pool and spa treatment products. A malfunctioning sprinkler went off, spilling water onto reactive chemicals, causing a fire and a toxic plume. Later in the morning, a strong chemical smell filled the air. Atlanta firefighters detected levels of impurities in the air during a following air quality test.
As the fire grew and the massive pillar rose to an unimaginable height, videos began to flood social media, and with public fear rising, officials addressed the issue. The Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency placed a shelter in place order, while residents north of Interstate 20 Rockdale had to evacuate. Although not certain, media reports put the number of evacuated at 17,000.
As well as the intense smell, the smoke that filled the air acted like a fog, limiting visibility to 10-15ft. Closer to the plant, some residents reported lung irritation and feelings of sickness, others reporting having to go to the hospital after inhaling the plume.
The fire department was able to get the fire under control by midday, however, as chemicals were evacuated from the building and rubble removal began, the fires reignited, finally being fully extinguished by 5pm.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began testing the air trying to identify the chemicals that had been released. By the next day, they were identified as toxic chlorine, hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide. Tests the following day by the EPA showed safe air quality readings, allowing the shelter order to be lifted. Around the Conyers area school resumed, and evacuated residents returned.
Previous incidents
The same Conyers Biolab plant has had similar incidents 3 times previously, one in 2020, another in 2015, and the most notable in 2004 where bulldozers were required to knock down the warehouse and flood the area in order to put out the fire, with several thousand evacuated.
The Conyers and another Louisiana Biolab plant have been the source of chemical leaks throughout their history too, prompting public safety concerns about the operation of these plants.
Events like this and others such as the 2023 Ohio train derailment spill bring questions for wider communities as well. One South Lakes student shared,“we need to regulate these companies, I wouldn’t want chemical spills here or anywhere…” a sentiment shared by many, with a desire for safety.
