CONYERS, Ga. -- An investigation is underway after a fire broke out at a Conyers, Ga. chemical plant early Saturday morning.
According to a spokesperson with the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office, it began around 4:30 a.m. at the BioLab, Inc. Manufacturing facility on Old Covington Highway. The company produces water-treatment products for pools and other chemicals, according to it's website.
Officials said they were alerted to the fire after a resident near the business smelled smoke and chemicals and called 911. When they got on-scene, they found the flames coming from an outdoor storage shed.
"Small flames were visible at the scene, but that was quickly put out," said Cpl. Michael Camp with the Sheriff's Office said.
PHOTOS: Chemical fire breaks out at Conyers facility
According to the Sheriff's Office, chlorine pellets stored in 5-gallon buckets had a chemical reaction and caught fire. Firefighters used foam to coat the flames and said by about 5:15 a.m the active fire was extinguished. Hazmat crews also responded to make sure no other chemicals posed a risk.
Residents within one mile of the plant were evacuated as a safety precaution while responders worked to secure the scene. Those who had evacuated were given the all-clear around 7 a.m. and were allowed back into their homes. No one was injured.
This is not the first time a fire has broken out at this facility. In 2004, a massive fire set off multiple explosions at the Conyers warehouse. Residents were also evacuated in that incident. Chlorine was among the chemicals blamed for that fire.
Officials are working now to determine the cause of this latest incident. It's unclear exactly why the pellets reacted, but officials say once in a while, chemicals will 'off-gas' or react to the air or heat conditions.
