A fire at a Georgia chemical plant today forced evacuations and road closures in the area. The fire, and subsequent chemical reactions, occurred at BioLab, Conyers, GA. BioLab, a subsidiary of KIK Consumer Products, manufactures products for swimming pools and spas. Conyers is approximately 30 miles east of Atlanta. KIK acquired BioLab in 2013.

According to officials, water from a sprinkler came in contact with chlorine and produced a chlorine plume. The fire was put out at 4pm, but the chlorine plume from the reaction lingered, causing problems for area residents, according to Rockdale County Fire and Rescue Chief Marian McDaniel.

Roads are closed in the area, and approximately 17,000 residents were asked to evacuate, according to Sharon Webb, director of the county’s Emergency Management Agency.

The roof of the plant caved in and Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt described the damage as a “complete collapse.”

Environmental safety officials are conducting air quality tests to determine if there are any toxins in the smoke.

In response to the potential impacts of the plume, the Newton County School District said their schools would be closed on Monday.

“Due to the large evacuation area in Rockdale County and the closure of Interstate 20, we’ve been made aware that many of our staff members have been directly affected. Additionally, while we do not yet know how, or to what extent this incident will impact Newton County, out of an abundance of caution for the safety, health, and well-being of all students and staff, we have determined that the best course of action is to close all schools tomorrow, Monday, September 30,” the district said in the statement.

Last night, county leaders said all Rockdale County residents were told they should shelter-in-place until midnight. Route I-20 was reopened today.