GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — People in multiple counties are now reporting a chlorine smell and smoke spreading after a chemical plant fire in Rockdale County.

A fire broke out Sunday morning at the Biolab facility on Old Covington Highway. The fire started around 5:30 a.m. Sunday when a sprinkler system malfunctioned, which seems to have mixed with a chemical creating a plume.

The fire is out, but a thick plume of smoke can still be seen over 24 hours later. Rockdale County remains under a shelter-in-place order. According to officials, about 17,000 people have been evacuated in the area around the Biolab facility.

Officials also said they expected Interstate 20 to remain closed eastbound and westbound from Turner Hill Road to Almon Road. The closures were “based on unpredictable path and wind direction” of the chemicals in the air.

Just before 7 a.m., the Georgia Department of Transportation reopened I-20 on both sides to motorists.

It’s not just Rockdale County that is feeling its effects.

Multiple schools have been closed in Rockdale County and neighboring Gwinnett and Newton Counties.

Residents in DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties have reported a strong chlorine odor.

“We are investigating the numerous reports of a haze and strong chemical smell across Fulton County. We are investigating and will pass along any and all information we receive. If you have concerns, STAY INSIDE, CLOSE windows and doors, TURN OFF A/C & other ventilation system,” Atlanta-Fulton County EMA said in a statement.

Officials are stressing that people 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.

Gwinnett County officials also put out a statement Monday morning letting residents know they are monitoring the situation.

“We’ve received calls from residents in parts of the county reporting haze and a chemical smell believed to be related to the BioLab chemical plant fire in Rockdale County. A low-pressure system has pushed fog into the area, and a lack of wind is causing the smell to linger. The smell should dissipate in a couple of hours as the wind direction shifts,” the statement read.

In a 2020 incident at the same location, the problem was a chemical that is often used to create swimming pool cleaning products that can create fumes when exposed to water.

Gwinnett County officials also put out a statement Monday morning letting residents know they are monitoring the situation.

“We’ve received calls from residents in parts of the county reporting haze and a chemical smell believed to be related to the BioLab chemical plant fire in Rockdale County. A low-pressure system has pushed fog into the area, and a lack of wind is causing the smell to linger. The smell should dissipate in a couple of hours as the wind direction shifts,” the statement read.

City of Atlanta conducts testing

AFRD says it has tested areas west from Candler Road to Moreland Ave. close to the area seeing the haze.

“Based on the latest tests, no immediate life safety issues have been identified. The haze observed earlier is also beginning to clear from the city,” officials said.

The city has requested more testing from the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) around AFRD stations 4, 13, 12, and 18.

What precautions can you take?

If you are worried about air quality:

• Stay indoors
• Close all windows and doors
• Turn off any ventilation systems until further notice.