ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. — Evacuations remain underway after a fire broke out at a Rockdale County chemical plant.

The sheriff’s office says they’ve evacuated the area near Biolab on Old Covington Highway. Local emergency management officials say Georgia emergency management officials reported about 17,000 people have been required to evacuate.

On Sunday night, all Rockdale County residents have been ordered to shelter in place until midnight.

Interstate 20 is blocked off in both directions between Salem Road and Turner Hill Road.

It’s still unclear exactly what chemical is burning.

It all started around 5:30 a.m. Sunday when a sprinkler system malfunctioned, which seems to have mixed with a chemical creating a plume. The smoke billowed miles into the sky, changing colors throughout the day from black, white, red, and then to a yellowish hue on Sunday evening.

Crews got the fire under control on Sunday morning, but it reignited around 12:15 p.m.

Officials say the fire has since been put out, but the building itself has collapsed.

The continuing smoke comes from the water and chemicals creating a reaction.

Firefighters said that they are trying to get that water-reactive chemical out so they can start fighting the fire.

Officials are stressing that folks should take this seriously.

“As the plume starts out, it could become very dangerous, and toxic. So, until we get those readings from EPA and EPD, we don’t know what those plumes consist of, so we want to keep everyone safe and away from it as much as possible,” Rockdale County Emergency Management Director Sharon Webb said.

Biolab released a statement that read,

“We are actively responding to an occurrence at our facility in Conyers, Georgia. 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 Rockdale County District Attorney says that her office and the Rockdale County Courthouse will be closed on Monday because of the fire.

Officials with the Environmental Protection Agency are at the site.

The sheriff’s office set up several evacuation sites: JP Carr Gym at 90 Hardin St SW, Scout Camp at 218 Scout Road in Covington and Wolverine Gym at 8134 Geiger Street in Covington.

Roads in the area have been closed and drivers are asked to avoid the area and follow detour signs.

Roads closed include:

• Rockdale Industrial
• Old Covington to Sigman Rd.
• Covington to 2nd St.
• Lester Rd. to Sigman Rd.
• Farmer Rd. from Sigman Rd. to Rockdale Industrial
• Rockbridge from Sigman Rd. to Main St.