Georgia, Sep 30 (V7N) – A fire at a chemical plant in Georgia, caused by a sprinkler malfunction early Sunday morning (September 29), has forced evacuations and road closures, including the evacuation of a local hospital, according to Rockdale County officials.
 
The fire broke out around 5 a.m. at BioLab in Conyers after a faulty sprinkler system reacted with a water-sensitive chemical, releasing a dangerous plume, as reported on the county’s website.
 
Firefighters initially managed to contain the blaze on the roof, but it reignited hours later. Rockdale County Sheriff Eric Levett, in a Facebook video, urged residents to avoid the area due to the ongoing danger.
 
Road closures include the area between Sigman Road and Interstate 20, with evacuation orders in place. Interstate 20 is shut down in both directions between Salem Road and Turner Hill. Sheriff Levett has requested support from the Georgia Department of Public Safety and State Patrol.
 
Residents north of Sigman Road have been advised to remain indoors and keep their windows closed for safety reasons.
 
Conyers Mayor Vince Evans strongly encouraged those staying behind to remain inside and refrain from traveling or driving around the city. Sheriff Levett reiterated the importance of avoiding the area, stressing that "this is not a time for sightseeing."
 
Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt told CNN that every available resource, including GEMA and FEMA, has been deployed to handle the situation. Nesbitt confirmed that alongside local homes and businesses, a hospital is being evacuated, while environmental teams are conducting air quality checks to assess for harmful toxins.
 
"We’re not taking any risks," Nesbitt emphasized.
 
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