CHEMICAL FIRE IN ROCKDALE COUNTY: I-20 closed, 17,000 in evacuation zone – WSB-TV Channel 2

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – Evacuations are still ongoing after a fire broke out at a chemical plant in Rockdale County.

The sheriff's office said the area near Biolab on Old Covington Highway was evacuated. Local emergency management officials said Georgia emergency management officials reported that about 17,000 people were needed.

Others nearby, including Piedmont Rockdale Hospital, are being told to shelter in place for now.

Interstate 20 is closed in both directions between Salem Road and Turner Hill Road.

It is still unclear exactly which chemical is burning.

It all started around 5:30 a.m. Sunday when the sprinkler system malfunctioned, apparently mixing with a chemical and forming a cloud. You can see the smoke rising for miles into the sky, changing color throughout the day, from black, white, red and now to a yellowish hue Channel 2's Michael Doudna on Sunday evening.

Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control on Sunday morning, but it flared up again around 12:15 p.m

Officials say the fire has now been extinguished, but the building itself has collapsed.

The persistent smoke is caused by the water and chemicals causing a reaction.

Authorities are asking people in the direct path of the smoke to evacuate, while others seek shelter in case the wind shifts.

Firefighters said Channel 2 action news that they're trying to get this chemical that reacts with water out so they can start fighting the fire.

Unfortunately, you are aware of the problems in this work. Channel 2 action news has identified at least two previous incidents in the last 20 years that resulted in evacuations and/or road closures at the plant.

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For now, authorities are stressing that people should take this seriously.

“If the cloud starts, it could become very dangerous and toxic. “So until we get those readings from EPA and EPD, we don't know what these clouds are made of, so we want to make sure everyone stays safe and stays away from it as much as possible,” said Rockdale Emergency Management Director Sharon Webb County.

In a 2020 incident at the same location, the problem was a chemical commonly used to make swimming pool cleaning products that can produce fumes when in contact with water.

We are working to determine if this is the same issue this time.

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Biolab released a statement that read:

“We are actively responding to an incident at our facility in Conyers, Georgia. No injuries were reported for our employees. Our team is on scene and working with first responders and local authorities to assess and contain the situation. As always, the safety of our community remains our top priority.”

The Rockdale County District Attorney says her office and the Rockdale County Courthouse will remain closed Monday due to the fire.

Environmental Protection Agency officials are on scene.

The sheriff's office set up several evacuation sites: JP Carr Gym at 90 Hardin St SW, Scout Camp at 218 Scout Road in Covington and Wolverine Gym at 8134 Geiger Street in Covington.

Roads in the area have been closed and motorists are asked to avoid the area and follow diversion signs.

Roads closed include:

• Rockdale Industrial
• Old Covington to Sigman Rd.
• Covington to 2nd St.
• Lester Rd. to Sigman Road.
• Farmer Rd. from Sigman Rd. to Rockdale Industrial
• Rockbridge from Sigman Rd. to Main St.

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