'Scary' Chemical Plant Fire Sends Chlorine Into Air, Forcing More Than 90,000 Georgia Residents to Shelter in Place

"If you have concerns, stay inside, close windows and doors, and turn off ventilation systems,” Atlanta's mayor advised

• A fire broke out at the BioLab plant in Conyers, Ga., on Sept. 29

• About 17,000 people have evacuated in Rockdale County, with businesses being asked to close until the shelter-in-place is lifted

• Haze and a strong chemical smell have been reported across Fulton County, said the Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency

A fire at a chemical plant in Conyers, Ga., has officials advising residents in the area to shelter in place, as people have reported the smell of chlorine in the air, the Associated Press reported.

In a press release issued Monday, Sept. 30, Rockdale County, which includes Conyers, called on residents to remain sheltered in place and advised businesses to stay closed until the shelter-in-place is lifted, following the Sept. 29 fire at a BioLab plant.

“The information is based on air quality surveys conducted by EPA and EPD, which revealed the harmful irritant chlorine, which was detected in the air emitting from the incident at BioLab,” the county’s statement read. “For everyone sheltering in place, the best practice is to turn the air conditioning off and keep the windows and door shut.”

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About 17,000 people in Rockdale County have evacuated, The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported. Overall, more than 90,000 residents east of Atlanta have been urged to stay indoors, per the AP.

Video footage from local news outlets NBC affiliate KARE and Fox affiliate WAGA as well as images on social media showed large and thick plumes of smoke emanating from the plant fire, which was eventually contained in the late afternoon of Sept. 29, said authorities per the AP.

“It’s very scary to see something like that,” Transmission King owner Derrick Gibson, who closed his business and headed home upon witnessing the flames, told ABC affiliate WSB.

In a series of posts shared on X, the Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency also noted the situation and provided safety tips.

“We are investigating the numerous reports of a haze and strong chemical smell across Fulton County, Likely related to the BioLab fire,” the agency wrote. “We are awaiting additional information from EPD and EPA and will pass along any and all information we receive.”

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“As we await additional information from EPD and EPA,” continued the agency’s statement, “if you have concerns or have a respiratory issue, STAY INSIDE, CLOSE windows and doors, TURN OFF air conditioning & other ventilation systems.”

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens shared in a social media post on Sept. 30 that his administration is “working diligently to ensure the safety of those in and around Atlanta. The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department and the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport are conducting air quality control checks."

"At this time, no warnings or advisories have been issued," the mayor added. "We will continue to coordinate with the EPA and EPD, and all updates will be posted on our social channels. If you have concerns, stay inside, close windows and doors, and turn off ventilation systems.”

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The air quality situation has also prompted Gwinnett County Public Schools to shut down its outdoor activities and events on Sept. 30.

“Due to our proximity to Rockdale County, the air quality in parts of Gwinnett County is also being negatively impacted,” Gwinnett County Public Schools wrote in a statement on its website. “We have stopped outside air from coming into our buildings…Until the air quality improves, we encourage all families and staff to limit time outside, and keep windows and doors shut.”

BioLab shared a statement on Sept. 30: “Our top priority is ensuring the community’s safety, and our teams are working around-the-clock to respond to the ongoing situation at our facility in Conyers, Georgia. We continue to work collaboratively with first responders and local authorities and have deployed specialized teams from out of state to the site to bolster and support their efforts. We are all focused on remediating the situation as rapidly as possible.”

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The company also said in an earlier update on Sept. 29 that all of its employees were accounted for and there were no reported injuries.

PEOPLE reached out to BioLab for comment but did not hear back.

Per The New York Times, Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel said it is uncertain what type of chemicals caused the fire at BioLab. 

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