A fire at a chemical facility in Conyers, Georgia, has forced evacuations and caused multiple road closures, including the shutdown of I-20 in both directions. The blaze reignited Sunday at BioLab on Old Covington Highway, marking the third major incident at the plant in the last seven years.
Officials reported that the fire, initially contained on Sunday morning, reignited later that day, sending a massive plume of smoke into the air. The plume was visible from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, roughly 30 miles away.
The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office advised residents to stay indoors and keep windows closed to avoid potential exposure to hazardous materials. The fire began around 5 a.m. after a malfunctioning sprinkler head mixed with water-reactive chemicals and wiring at the plant, according to Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel.
“We’re working on removing the material away from the water source at the facility,” McDaniel said during a press conference. Once we can get that chemical out of the building and allow it to burn off, we’ll be in much better shape.” She confirmed that the fire was contained to the roof of the facility, and while employees were inside at the time, no injuries have been reported.
Rockdale Sheriff Eric Levett urged residents to stay away from the affected areas, especially I-20 between Salem Road and Turner Hill Road, which has been closed. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office reported all exits on this stretch of the interstate are also closed. The evacuation zone encompasses a significant portion of Conyers as the fire continues to burn.
“The interstate, as you can see, is backed up. We are working with the Georgia State Patrol and Georgia Department of Public Safety to assist with traffic control,” Sheriff Levett said.
The fire has caused widespread disruption, with heavier-than-usual traffic in Conyers as drivers navigate road closures. Local businesses, including a Kroger store on Highway 138, have been impacted, while a nearby QuikTrip is only accepting pay-at-the-pump transactions.
Fire Chief McDaniel stated that this is the third incident of this magnitude involving water-reactive chemicals at the BioLab plant since 2017, with the most recent occurring in 2021. The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA) issued a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents, although there is no set timeline for when the area will be deemed safe.
The specific chemical involved in the fire has yet to be identified. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be analyzing the plume to determine its content and assess any potential health risks. In the meantime, evacuation sites have been set up at General Ray Davis Middle School in Stockbridge, Bert Adams Boy Scout Camp in Covington, and Wolverine Gym in Newton County. An initial evacuation site at 90 Hardin Street in Conyers had to be relocated as it fell within the evacuation zone.
There is currently no plan in place for residents who cannot return to their homes Sunday night. County officials will provide updates via social media once the EPA has assessed the threat level.
“We have about 60 folks over at the scene working through this, so it’s going to be a long process,” McDaniel said.
BioLab, a division of KIK Consumer Product, specializes in swimming pool and spa water care. The company released a statement saying all employees are accounted for and that no injuries have been reported. BioLab is working closely with first responders and local authorities to contain the fire, emphasizing their commitment to community safety.
The incident has also led to the cancellation of church services across the area, from Rockbridge to the Northside County line. Local hospitals are expected to issue public service announcements on how residents can protect themselves from potential exposure to the chemicals.
Road closures in effect due to the fire include:
- Old Covington Highway at 2nd Avenue
- Sigman Road at Rockbridge Road
- Sigman Road at General Arts Road
- Blacklawn Road at Veterans Drive
- Plunkett Road at Lester Road
- Rockdale Industrial Boulevard at Lester Road
- Lester Road, east of Farmer Road
- General Arts Road at Farmer Road
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as efforts to contain the fire are underway.
