Massive Blaze at Georgia Chemical Plant Sparks Evacuations and Road Closures
A fierce fire broke out at the BioLab chemical plant in Conyers, Georgia, forcing mass evacuations and shutting down major roads, including the busy I-20 highway in both directions. The blaze reignited Sunday afternoon, sending thick smoke visible from over 30 miles away.
Fire Reignites, Overwhelms Containment Efforts
The fire started early Sunday morning around 5 a.m. after a malfunctioning sprinkler head triggered a reaction with water-reactive chemicals inside the plant. Although initially contained, the flames flared back up later, engulfing the facility’s roof in smoke and flames. Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel confirmed there were no injuries, but the ongoing blaze forced employees to evacuate immediately.
“We’re working on removing the hazardous material away from the plant’s water source,” said McDaniel. “Once the chemicals can burn off safely, we’ll gain much better control.”
Evacuations, Road Closures, and Public Safety Warnings
Authorities quickly issued shelter-in-place orders, urging local residents to stay indoors and keep windows shut to avoid toxic exposure. The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office warned people to steer clear of the area, particularly I-20 between Salem Road and Turner Hill Road, which remains closed indefinitely. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed all interstate exits in the affected zone are also shut.
The blaze has snarled traffic across Conyers, with heavy backups reported as drivers navigate multiple road closures. Affected routes 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
BioLab Fire Marks Third Big Incident in Seven Years
This is the third major fire involving water-reactive chemicals at BioLab since 2017, with the most recent prior blaze in 2021. The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) continues to monitor the plume’s contents, with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set to analyse the smoke to assess health risks.
BioLab, part of KIK Consumer Products and specialising in swimming pool and spa chemicals, confirmed all staff are safe and are working closely with first responders. Evacuation centers have been set up at schools and community centers nearby, with no clear timeline yet for when residents can safely return home.
“We have around 60 personnel at the scene working through this. It’s going to be a long process,” Chief McDaniel added.
The incident has also disrupted local life, forcing cancellations of church services and impacting businesses like Kroger and QuikTrip, which has limited pump-only payments. Hospitals in the area are expected to issue health advisories soon.
Officials urge residents to follow updates on social media and stay clear of the danger zone as efforts to fully contain the fire continue.
