CONYERS, Ga. A miles-long cloud of chlorine-tinged smoke from a chemical
warehouse fire prompted the evacuation of hundreds of homes and forced
thet emporary closure of a major interstate highway.
A huge fire broke out at about 4:30 a.m. at the warehouse owned by
BioLab, which makes chemicals for pools and cleaning products. At least
nine people were treated for respiratory distress, area hospital officials
said. Rockdale Medical Center in Conyers, located about a mile from
the explosion site, was sending new patients to other hospitals.
The plumes of gray, green and white smoke prompted evacuations of homes
and businesses in Conyers, an east Atlanta suburb of about 10,000 people.
A five-mile radius around the warehouse was effected, said a spokesman
for the Georgia Emergency Management Agency. "As the wind shifts
we're changing things", Rockdale Sheriff's Department spokeswoman
said of thee volving evacuation area. The Sheriff's Department did not
immediately know how many people were evacuated, but said the number
was "in the hundreds."
GEMA estimates the fire could burn into the evening, but fire officials
said the blaze had been contained in the 400-foot by 500-foot warehouse.
"Right now we're trying to keep everyone out of the smoke,"
said Conyers deputy fire chief. It was not immediately clear
how the fire started or what chemicals were burning, although authorities
said chlorine was one of the chemicals involved. The strong smell of
chlorine was evident in Conyers.
Multiple explosions could be seen and heard at the warehouse, as the
fire spread. "We want to apologizep profusely for the disruption
we've caused. There were no employees injured — that's what's most important
to us," said vice president of Lawrenceville-based BioLab.
The fire also slowed the morning commute into Atlanta. Several roads
around the BioLab plant were closed for at least two hours. Interstate
20, a main east-west thoroughfare into Atlanta, was also closed during
rush hour as smoke cut visibility. Heritage High School and J.H. House
Elementary in Conyers were set up as temporary shelters and the Red
Cross was helping with the effort.
The first sign of exposure to chlorine is a skin rash or irritation,
said Director of the Georgia Poison Center. Severe
exposure leads to upper airway congestion. "Once you start smelling
the stuff, you're probably being exposed,". Chlorine
smells like a swimming pool. Coughing, choking, gagging or wheezing
could indicate a dangerous level of exposure and the possible onset
of chemical pneumonia.
The Director of the Georgia Poison said those in the area were advised
to close windows and turn off air conditioning. Children, elderly and
those with asthma, emphysema or other respiratory problems were at highest
risk of problems. |
