On the morning of September 29, a fire erupted at a chemical plant near Atlanta, Georgia, sending thick black smoke into the sky and prompting local authorities to issue a mandatory evacuation for nearby residents. Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel addressed the media, explaining that the fire began due to a malfunction in the plant’s sprinkler system, which resulted in a dangerous mix of water and chemicals that ultimately ignited.

“The sprinkler activated and mixed with the chemicals, which then ignited electrical wires and other materials, leading to the fire,” McDaniel reported.

The facility, operated by BioLab, specializes in producing chemicals for swimming pools and spas. Although officials characterized the fire as small in scale, television footage captured the significant smoke caused by the chemical reactions.

Situated about 25 miles from Atlanta, the incident at the plant led to evacuations in the surrounding areas. Authorities advised residents to shelter in place by closing windows and avoiding the use of air conditioning, which resulted in several road closures. The exact number of individuals affected by the evacuation or those sheltering in place remains uncertain.

In a statement to local media, BioLab confirmed that there were no injuries among employees during the incident.

Additionally, Chief McDaniel noted that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been informed about the fire.