ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. — It’s been almost a week since a fire at the BioLab facility in Rockdale County sent a plume of chemicals into the air, and residents said they’re still experiencing the effects. Just Friday, county officials extended a shelter-in-place order through the weekend.
The incident started last Saturday when a fire broke out at the BioLab chemical plant located off Highway 20 on Sunday. The plant houses a variety of hazardous materials used in pool maintenance products. As crews worked to contain the fire, residents nearby were urged to stay indoors as a thick cloud of chemicals settled over their neighborhoods.
11Alive’s Erica Murphy spoke with Ronnie-Ray Stewart, a local resident who says the situation impacts his health and work.
“This is the most sun we’ve had all week. You can’t tell with the plume—you can’t tell the difference if it’s a cloud or if it’s chemicals,” Stewart said.
Stewart, who works at Maxx Tire Service, said the chemical cloud hanging over the community has drastically changed how they do business.
“You even see people in hazmat suits fully covered, which is really concerning because we don’t have that kind of gear,” he added.
He explained that business hours have been altered, and employees are taking extra precautions. They also use masks and keep doors locked whenever the odor is strong.
“Every time it starts setting out, you can smell it in the air. We have to go lock the doors and go inside. Normally, you would see us with a mask on,” Stewart said.
Beyond the work disruptions, Stewart says he’s worried about his family's health, especially his mother.
“With my mom, I had to make sure that she went [to the hospital] because she got delirious and couldn’t function,” Stewart shared.
Rockdale County officials have implemented a shelter-in-place overnight order that will remain effective until Monday. The order requires residents to stay inside from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. each night until the all-clear is given.
For now, residents are left waiting and wondering when life can return to normal.