US chemical plant fire near Atlanta prompts evacuations
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The head of Rockdale County Fire Rescue says a sprinkler malfunction led water to mix with a chemical and ignited a fire.
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Georgia Power Co.'s Plant Vogtle nuclear power plant is shown on January 20, 2023, in Waynesboro, Georgia. (AP)
Authorities in the US state of Georgia issued evacuation orders on Sunday after a chemical factory near Atlanta caught fire, emitting black smoke.
Marian McDaniel, head of Rockdale County Fire Rescue, told a press conference that a sprinkler malfunction early in the morning led water to mix with a chemical, igniting a fire.
"Once the sprinkler head activated, it mixed with that chemical and from that, the wiring and things, caused the fire," she said.
While officials described the incident at the BioLab-affiliated factory as modest, the reaction produced massive plumes of smoke, according to broadcasted footage.
Another view of the BioLab fire in Conyers GA… video from Shawn Wheeler pic.twitter.com/f9SSnzg2Ci
— James Spann (@spann) September 29, 2024
Evacuations were required in the region surrounding the facility, while other people were instructed to shelter in place with their windows closed and air conditioners turned off.
Several roads were blocked and it was not known how many individuals were affected by the evacuation or shelter-in-place orders.
The factory is approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Atlanta.
In a statement to local media, BioLab, which manufactures pool and spa chemicals, stated that no injuries had occurred among its personnel.
The mishap was reported to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, according to McDaniel.
