What we know about BioLab fire in Conyers: Nearly 17,000 in evacuation zone; Newton schools closed Monday

CONYERS, Ga. — A large chemical fire broke out early Sunday at a lab in Conyers and has been sending a jarring plume of black smoke into the air all day, with much of the city in an evacuation zone.

At 7:45 p.m., Rockdale County said there is a shelter-in-place order for the entire county until midnight. 

RELATED: ‘I was very, very startled’ | Resident describes early morning wake-up from police, evacuation over Conyers chemical fire

The company makes pool and spa treatments, and the chemicals involved in that process appeared to exacerbate the fire and send up huge smoke clouds. The fire later reignited around noon, according to authorities, and was put out around 3:30-4 p.m. on Sunday.

A plume continues to rise from the site because of water — which came from sprinklers when the fire first sparked around 5 a.m. — reacting with chemicals at the site. Crews are still working to remove those chemicals.

In a statement, a spokesperson for BioLab said representatives are “actively responding” to the situation. The spokesperson said employees “are accounted for with no injuries reported.” BioLab said it has a team is on the scene, working with first responders and local authorities to assess and contain the situation. 

“As always, the safety of our community remains our top priority,” the statement read.

Here’s the latest on what we know about the situation:

• Government office closures: Certain Rockdale County Government facilities in the affected area will be closed on Sept. 30. A list of facilities can be found below: 
  • Rockdale County Courthouse and Court Services Annexes
  • Rockdale County Tax Commissioner’s Office
  • Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Office
  • Rockdale County Administration Building
  • Rockdale County Planning and Development Department
  • Rockdale County Stormwater Department
  • Rockdale County Water Resources (RWR)
  • Rockdale County Extension Services
  • Rockdale County Elections Office
  • Rockdale County Senior Services
  • Rockdale County Animal Services
• Shelter locations for those affected:
  • The Rockdale County Government posted about shelter locations. Below is a list:
    • 2484 Bruce St. Lithonia, 30058
    • 218 Scout Road, Covington, 30016 
    • 3375 E Fairview Road SW, Stockbridge, 30281  
  • DeKalb County has opened a recreation center to assist residents displaced. 
    • The American Red Cross will accept evacuees at Lucious Sanders Recreation Center, 2484 Bruce Street, Lithonia, beginning at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday. 
    • DeKalb County Emergency Management has provided 200 cots. 
• Shelter-in-place order: The county government posted on Facebook that there is a shelter-in-place order for all of Rockdale County until midnight. 
• A large portion of the city of Conyers is in the evacuation zone: The map posted by 11Alive’s Cody Alcorn above has been shared by the Rockdale County government. Everything between Sigman Road and I-20 is inside the evacuation zone.
• Injuries: So far, none have been reported according to county officials.
• How long will the plume be in the air?: Fire officials said it could last several days and referenced a similar 2004 incident that took several days to clear.
• What does that mean for residents being able to go home?: It’s unclear until EPA testing comes back. Officials said that is ongoing.
• How many people are impacted?: The county’s emergency management director said 17,000 people were part of the evacuation.
• Hospital situation: Officials said Piedmont Rockdale Hospital had evacuated some patients and that the hospital is on diversion. They asked anyone with an emergency situation to go to a hospital in a neighboring county. 
• BioLab is a maker of spa and pool treatments: The company is based in Lawrenceville and makes products including BioGuard and SpaGuard for pool and spa care. It is not clear specifically what chemicals might be getting expelled into the air as part of the fire.
• The risk level for chemical inhalation has not been detailed: So far, officials have not said what kind of risk the chemicals pose and, as noted, it’s not clear what specific mix of chemicals is involved in this situation. Both the Georgia EPD and the EPA are on scene to conduct testing of air quality. In the 2004 fire, authorities said one of the chemicals involved was chlorine.
• Interstate closure: I-20 is blocked off in both directions between Salem Road and Turner Hill.
• EMA hotline: Those in need of assistance are asked to call 770-278-8300.
• Evacuation sites: One has been set up at the Scout Camp at 218 Scout Road in Covington and another is set up at General Ray Davis Middle School at 3375 East Fairview Rd. SW in Stockbridge.
• School impacts: Newton County officials said schools will be closed Monday out of an abundance of caution. Meanwhile, Rockdale County Public Schools are out on fall break this week. All 12-month employees will work remote Monday and the district said it will keep buildings closed as a precaution. Georgia Piedmont Technical College’s Newton and Rockdale campuses will be closed until further notice, a spokesperson said. 
• What happened: County officials said that around 5 a.m., a sprinkler head malfunctioned, causing a mixture with a “water-reactive chemical,” which in turn started a small fire on the building’s roof. That fire has since been contained and put out. Rockdale officials stated this is the third incident at the facility in seven years involving products mixing with water and causing a chemical reaction.
• What’s being done: Crews said they are working to remove the chemicals, though they noted that the process could take several hours. The EPA is also expected to be on-site to test the area’s air quality.
• What happened in 2004?: According to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency page, a fire at the same facility caused an evacuation one mile downwind and shut down I-20 for several hours. “The effect of the plume was felt more than 50 miles away,” the pages says. The fire was put out the next morning. CNN reported at the time that 28 people were admitted to two hospitals, but none were seriously injured. According to a United Pres International report, residents were able to return home the next day. Pool And Spa News reported in 2011 a $7 million settlement for a lawsuit on the incident.

An 11Alive crew is on scene in the area and officials are expected to provide an update some time after 5 p.m.