CONYERS, Ga. — The company at the center of a fire at a Conyers pool and spa chemical facility that left a plume of noxious smoke visible for miles in the metro is commenting on the situation, saying its "top priority remains ensuring the community’s safety."
The statement was shared on behalf of KIK Consumer Products, which owns BioLab, and said in the statement it was "grateful to the partnership with first responders and local and federal authorities as we together work non-stop to remediate the ongoing situation at our Conyers, Georgia facility."
The fire at the facility broke out in the early morning hours Sunday after officials said a sprinkler malfunctioned and created a reaction with a "water-reactive chemical." That caused a fire to break through the roof, sending a plume of black smoke into the air on Sunday, prompting concerns from the community. An evacuation order was issued for residents in the immediate vicinity of the facility, and a shelter-in-place order was issued for thousands more residents throughout Rockdale County.
The fire was ultimately contained by Sunday evening, but smoke remnants from the lingering reaction, believed to primarily involve the chemical chlorine, were still being sent into the air for much of the day Monday. Officials in many locations throughout the metro conducted air testing throughout the day, and found that the levels of chlorine safe for most people. And just around 8 p.m., the shelter-in-place and evacuation orders were lifted. No one has been hurt in the incident, officials said.
In its statement, BioLab said it has made "significant progress throughout the day" to remove the reactive materials, assisted by the deployment of out-of-state specialist support. It also noted Rockdale County's announcement to end the shelter-in-place advisory effective immediately.
"Air emissions are being actively monitored at the site and in the community by state, local, and federal authorities, and we are supporting the efforts of local authorities as part of the Unified Command response to the incident," the statement read.
