Current:Home > ScamsResidents told to evacuate or take shelter after Georgia chemical fire -MoneyStream
Residents told to evacuate or take shelter after Georgia chemical fire
View
Date:2025-04-12 15:03:27
CONYERS, Ga. (AP) — Some residents east of Atlanta were evacuated while others were told to shelter in place to avoid contact with a chemical plume after a fire at a chemical plant.
Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel told reporters that a sprinkler head malfunctioned around 5 a.m. Sunday at the BioLab plant in Conyers. That caused water to mix with a water-reactive chemical, which produced a plume of chemicals. The chief said she wasn’t sure what chemicals were included.
There was a small fire on the roof, which was contained, McDaniel said.
“We don’t want fear. This is a well-handled incident,” McDaniel said. “We have this under control. We’re looking to get it even more under control, and we will be out here until the very end.”
People living close to the plant were told to evacuate and others in the affected area were told to shelter in place with windows and doors closed. Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Christine Nesbitt did not know the number of people evacuated.
The federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division were both on site, county Emergency Management Director Sharon Webb said. The agencies are monitoring the air “to give us more of an idea of what the plume consists of.”
McDaniel said crews were working on removing the chemical from the building, away from the water source. Once the product is contained, the situation will be assessed and officials will let residents know whether it is safe to return to their homes, she said.
An evacuation center was opened at J.P. Carr gym in Conyers.
veryGood! (559)
Related
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Radio Nikki: Haley launching a weekly SiriusXM radio talk show at least through January
- Trump rolls out his family's new cryptocurrency business
- 'Unimaginably painful': Ballerina Michaela DePrince, who died 1 day before mom, remembered
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Banana Republic’s Friends & Family Sale Won’t Last Long—Deals Starting at $26, Plus Coats up to 70% Off
- Brush fire leads to evacuations in a north-central Arizona town
- Why Josh Gad Regrets Using His Voice for Frozen's Olaf
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- Miley Cyrus Sued Over Flowers for Allegedly Copying Bruno Mars Song
Ranking
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Winning numbers for Powerball drawing on September 16; jackpot climbs to $165 million
- Find Out Which Southern Charm Star Just Got Engaged
- Ranchers Are Using Toxic Herbicides to Clear Forests in Brazil
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Florida will launch criminal probe into apparent assassination attempt of Trump, governor says
- Bret Michaels, new docuseries look back at ’80s hair metal debauchery: 'A different time'
- 23andMe agrees to $30 million settlement over data breach that affected 6.9 million users
Recommendation
Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
Former Eagles player Jason Kelce brings star power to ESPN's MNF coverage
Miley Cyrus sued over allegations her hit song 'Flowers' copied a Bruno Mars song
JoJo Siwa Says New Girlfriend Dakayla Wilson Is “On Board” With Future Baby Plans
The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
The hormonal health 'marketing scheme' medical experts want you to look out for
Georgia official seeks more school safety money after Apalachee High shooting
With Wyoming’s Regional Haze Plan ‘Partially Rejected,’ Conservationists Await Agency’s Final Proposal