Augusta, GA
Chemical fire closes stretch of I-20 between Augusta, Atlanta
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – An incident at a Rockdale County chemical facility has closed a section of Interstate 20 between Augusta and Atlanta.
It also prompted a shelter-in-place order, evacuations and other road closures, officials said.
Around 5 a.m., a sprinkler at the BioLab facility on Old Covington Highway in Conyers malfunctioned and sprayed water on a chemical, causing a reaction that created a large, hazardous smoke plume, which then began drifting to the northeast, Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel said shortly after 10 a.m.
The malfunction also caused a small fire on the BioLab roof, which was contained, McDaniel said.
The fire has since reignited, and a huge plume of smoke is billowing from the facility, prompting an evacuation order for anyone between Sigman Road and I-20, according to county officials. Anyone in the evacuation zone needs to leave the area, officials said. Anyone outside the zone is asked to stay away.
Officials said I-20 would be blocked off in both directions between Salem Road and Turner Hill. The Georgia State Patrol has been called in to help with traffic control in the area, the sheriff’s office said.
The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency has issued a shelter-in-place order on behalf of the Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency for residents in the north half of the county, above Sigman Road. Those residents should remain indoors with the windows and doors closed, and should turn off their air conditioners.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Richmond County started a search for an armed robbery suspect Saturday evening.
They started the search on the 3700 block of Wheeler Road after an alleged armed robbery at an SRP ATM.
The suspect is described as a 40-year-old black male, wearing all black, a face mask and a camouflage jacket.
The suspect fled the area on foot in an unknown direction.
The sheriff’s office used K9 Units, along with the drone unit, to search.
This investigation is in its early stages, and no further information is available at this time.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students at Richmond County Technical Magnet School achieved a milestone by launching their 500th non-kit rocket.
Students launched rockets at Thompson Farm in Augusta. The launch is part of the school’s aerospace program that has been part of their STEM curriculum since 2014.
The Augusta Fire Department collaborated with the group for the launch.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
SAVANNAH, Ga. – A woman is recovering in Augusta after being attacked with acid earlier this week in Savannah.
Around 8:16 p.m. Wednesday, she was walking around Forsyth Park and a man hiding in the shadows near Whitaker Street suddenly came out and attacked her with an unknown chemical.
The liquid melted through her clothing and headphones.
The victim has been identified as Ashley Wasielewski, of Savannah, according to sources close to her family.
First responders located and treated the victim on scene before transferring her to a local hospital. Wasielewski has now been transferred to a regional burn center for advanced treatment. Sources close to the family said the burn center is in Augusta.
Sources close to the family said Wasielewski is stable after suffering second-degree burns.
Savannah police say they don’t believe the attacker was known to the victim.
No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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