(RightIsRight.co) – Highlighting yet another incident of dangerous mismanagement, a massive chemical plant fire near Atlanta has forced scores of Americans to evacuate their homes while others are left to shelter in place.
Early Sunday morning, a fire engulfed the BioLab chemical plant in Conyers, Georgia, creating chaos for local residents.
Over 90,000 people were instructed to shelter in place, while about 17,000 individuals in Northern Rockdale County were ordered to evacuate.
Businesses were ordered to stay closed, and community members were advised to turn off air conditioning and seal their homes to avoid exposure to harmful chemicals.
The fire generated a visible plume of dark smoke, alarming residents and authorities alike.
Air quality surveys conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency and the state Environmental Protection Division detected levels of chlorine, a harmful irritant.
Moreover, several roads, including portions of Interstate 20, were shut down, though the interstate reopened Monday morning.
The fire ravaged the plant until it was brought under control around 4 p.m. the same day. Throughout the day, emergency responders worked tirelessly to control the spread of the blaze and shut down any possible hazards.
BioLab, a division of KIK Consumer Products specializing in swimming pool and spa treatment products, has been scrutinized in the past for other incidents. The company emphasized community safety in its statements.
“Our top priority is ensuring the community’s safety, and our teams are working around-the-clock to respond to the ongoing situation at our facility in Conyers, Georgia,” a BioLab spokesperson said.
In turn, shelter-in-place orders remained in effect into Monday as harmful chlorine levels persisted in the air.
Rockdale County advised all residents to stay indoors, turn off air conditioning, and keep windows and doors shut. The county’s government facilities, including parks and several other county offices, remained closed.
In addition, fire officials attributed the blaze to a malfunction in a sprinkler head, which came in contact with a water-reactive chemical, producing the initial plume.
A minor fire on the roof reignited by Sunday afternoon, leading to a quick response to contain it once again. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the plant employees, a small solace amid the evident devastation.
“For everyone sheltering in place, the best practice is to turn the air conditioning off and keep windows and doors shut,” – Rockdale County government statement.
The massive response included separating the water-reactive chemicals from the water, which continued to create hazardous plumes.
Emergency teams deployed all available resources to address the crisis effectively and ensure public safety. As a precaution, patients from a nearby hospital were moved to other facilities.
Meanwhile, the BioLab incident has reignited discussions on industrial safety and governmental oversight.
Residents and local authorities face the harsh impact of this chemical disaster, which underscores the need to prioritize community safety from such industrial hazards.
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