Sept. 29 (UPI) — A fire at a chemical plant near Atlanta sent a large plume of smoke into the air on Sunday, prompting officials to evacuate thousands of residents.
The fire occurred at a BioLab chemical plant in Conyers, located in Rockdale County, about 24 miles east of Atlanta.
Authorities said a small fire ignited on the roof of the facility at about 5 a.m. However, water spraying from a malfunctioning sprinkler came into with water-reactive chemicals at the plant, sending a plume of smoke into the air.
Though the small fire was contained, a second fire erupted at the plant a few hours later, the cause of which was unknown. That blaze was put out by 4 p.m., according to authorities, who said the facility’s roof had collapsed along with several walls.
Video of plant shared online shows a large plume of smoke emanating from the facility.
Sharon Webb, director of the county’s Emergency Management Department, told reporters in a press conference that some 17,000 people in area have been evacuated as a precaution, while others had been ordered to shelter in place.