Authorities are now reporting a “strong chemical smell” in the Atlanta area following a chemical plant fire east of Georgia’s capital city that has forced more than 90,000 residents to remain sheltered in place Monday after the “harmful irritant chlorine” was detected in the air. 

The Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency announced this morning that it is continuing “to investigate the numerous reports of a haze and strong chemical smell across Fulton County, likely related to the BioLab fire” that broke out in Conyers on Sunday. BioLab is a company that produces pool chemicals, according to its website. 

“We are aware of the incident in Conyers, Georgia and are working diligently to ensure the safety of those in and around Atlanta,” Mayor Andre Dickens wrote on X. “The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department and the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airport are conducting air quality control checks.” 

The government in Rockdale County, where Conyers is located, ordered residents to remain sheltered in place on Monday after testing from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division revealed the presence of the “harmful irritant chlorine” in the “air emitting from the incident location of BioLab.” 

BIOLAB PLANT FIRE: GEORGIA RESIDENTS EVACUATE AS TOXIC SMOKE BILLOWS FROM CHEMICAL-FUELED INFERNO 

The fire at the BioLab plant began around 5 a.m. on Sunday before being put out later that afternoon. By that point, smoke clouds had been seen emanating from the facility and some residents were ordered to evacuate. Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel said that a sprinkler head at the facility malfunctioned and caused “a mixture with a water reactive chemical.” 

“Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency, based on information received from the Environmental Protection Division and the Environmental Protection Agency, strongly advises all Rockdale County residents to continue to shelter in place,” Rockdale County government said. “Additionally, in the best interest and safety of the public and all citizens, it is recommended that businesses close operations until shelter-in-place is lifted. 

“For everyone sheltering in place, the best practice is to turn the air conditioning off and keep windows and doors shut,” it added. 

COLORADO MAN ALLEGEDLY IGNITES MASSIVE FOREST FIRE WHILE TRYING TO CREMATE HIS DOG: REPORTS 

The fire began at the BioLab plant in Conyers, Georgia, on Sunday morning. (Ian Stinson via Storyful)

BioLab did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital on Monday. 

“Our top priority is ensuring the community’s safety, and our teams are working around-the-clock to respond to the ongoing situation at our facility in Conyers, Georgia,” the company said on its website. “We continue to work collaboratively with first responders and local authorities and have deployed specialized teams from out of state to the site to bolster and support their efforts. We are all focused on remediating the situation as rapidly as possible.” 

Officials said Monday that chlorine has been detected in the air near the site of the BioLab plant fire in Conyers, Georgia. (Ian Stinson via Storyful)

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Mayor Dickens wrote on X that “at this time, no warnings or advisories have been issued” in Atlanta. 

Fox News’ Andrea Margolis contributed to this report. 

It is a story that we have seen play out far too many times this season.

The Braves had the ability to potentially make things simple and easy on Sunday when it comes to making the postseason. However, due to a 4-2 loss to the Royals, Atlanta will now have to play a doubleheader in Atlanta vs. the Mets with their season on the line on Monday. While Charlie Morton made a few costly mistakes, the offense once again failed several times to capitalize on run-scoring opportunities.

As a result, it is win or go home for the Braves on Monday. Fortunately, they only have to win one of the two games to make the playoffs. And with the same being the case for the Mets, there is a good chance who ever wins the first game will not give much effort in the second contest.

It will be Spencer Schwellenbach in the first game for the Braves while Tylor Megill will take the mound for the Mets. On paper, that matchup favors the Braves, and Atlanta will have extra incentive to win Game 1 as that means NL pitching Triple Crown and likely Cy Young winner Chris Sale can then be saved for Game 1 of the NL Wild Card round. If Atlanta loses the first game on Monday, Sale gets the ball in Game 2.

The set up is simple for the Braves:

Win one or more games tomorrow, they will play the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday in the first round of the NL Wild Card round.

If they lose both games, the season is over.

Atlanta has bounced back many times this season, and they now have no choice but to do it once again.

Braves News

Five Braves are among the finalists for the ALL-MLB awards for 2024.

David O’brien breaks down all the chaos and why the Braves and Mets will need to play both games on Monday.

Justin Toscano points out the Braves still very much control their own destiny.

MLB.com breaks down all the scenarios for tomorrow’s doubleheader.

Mark Bowman discusses Morton’s performance and Monday’s significance for the Braves.

MLB News

The Mets defeating the Brewers on the road and the Diamondbacks beating the Padres set up a dramatic end to the season for the National League on Monday.

Tarik Skubal wins the AL pitching Triple Crown for in what likely will be a Cy Young season for himself, much like Chris Sale in the National League.

Many of the times and settings of the early playoff rounds are already known as we await the final two teams for the National League.

Rocco Baldelli will return as the Twins manager in 2025.

The Cardinals are likely to move on from veteran slugger Paul Goldschmidt this offseason. They also will likely listen to offers for veteran pitcher Sonny Gray.

Justin Turner plans to continue playing in 2025.

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – More than 200 patients have been moved in the brand-new Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Arthur M. Blank Hospital, according to the hospital.

The new 2 million square foot facility replaces the Egleston Hospital and has 446 beds, 116 more than Egleston. It’s also the only dedicated Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center in Georgia.

202 patients were moved Sunday by 65 ambulances. The emergency room at Egleston closed at 7 a.m. and the move began at 7:30 a.m. 8-year-old kidney patient Brithany Morales was the first patient admitted to Arthur M. Blank Hospital.

“The opening of Arthur M. Blank Hospital is a giant leap forward for Georgia’s kids, offering a beacon of hope for patients and their families,” said Donna Hyland, Chief Executive Officer at Children’s. “We needed a pediatric healthcare campus that could give every child in Georgia access to the care they deserve. It wasn’t easy, and the asks were big. But this community, led by Arthur Blank and our Board of Trustees, didn’t shy away.”

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