Thousands Evacuated, I-20 Closed After BioLab Fire In Conyers

CONYERS, GA — A fire and chemical reaction at a BioLab facility in Rockdale County resulted in 17,000 people being evacuated and Interstate 20 shut down Sunday, according to authorities.

The entire county was ordered to shelter in place until midnight Monday as of 7:45 p.m. I-20 was closed between Turner Hill and Salem roads, Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency Director Sharon Webb said around 5:45 p.m., clarifying at that time that about 17,000 people had been evacuated.

The incident started around 5:30 a.m. with a small blaze on a roof at BioLab, located near I-20 in Conyers, according to Rockdale County Fire Rescue Chief Marian McDaniel. The fire was contained but reignited around noon, and was then brought back under control around 4 p.m., she said.

A massive plume looming above the county Sunday was the result of a chemical at the facility that reacted with the sprinkler system when it was activated by the fire, McDaniel said. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Georgia Environmental Protection Division were both on scene Sunday making assessments, she said.

The plume will likely be visible for several days, according to McDaniel, who stressed that authorities were working to mitigate the incident.

“The longer it goes, the better it’s getting,” she said of the plume.

Several roads were closed throughout the day, church services were ordered canceled by the county, and evacuees were directed to General Ray Davis Middle School and a local Scout camp facility. People experiencing a medical emergency were advised by Webb to go to a hospital in a neighboring county instead of Piedmont Rockdale.

As of Sunday evening, BioLab’s roof and several of its walls had collapsed, according to McDaniel, who said the cause of the fire remained unknown.

BioLoab makes pool and spa treatment products, according to the U.S. Chemical Safety Board.

“We are actively responding to an occurrence at our facility in Conyers, Georgia,” a BioLab representative told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in a statement. “Our employees are accounted for with no injuries reported. Our 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 county is posting updates at www.facebook.com/RockdaleGov.