Fire at chemical plant sends huge plume of smoke into the sky in US state of Georgia
A huge plume of black smoke pouring into the sky from a fire at a chemical plant in the US state of Georgia has forced evacuations – as scientists try to establish what it contains.
The fire ignited when a sprinkler head malfunctioned at the BioLab plant in Conyers, around 25 miles from the city of Atlanta, on Sunday morning.
This caused water to mix with a chemical, prompting a reaction that produced the plume, Rockdale County fire chief Marian McDaniel said.
It’s not yet known which chemicals were contained in the smoke.
“We are actively responding to an occurrence at our facility,” a BioLab representative said in a statement.
“Our employees are accounted for with no injuries reported. Our team is on the scene, working with first responders and local authorities to assess and contain the situation.”
The plume filled the sky. Pic: Rockdale County Government
With the smoke billowing behind him, Sheriff Eric Levett said the fire had been initially contained but had reignited and firefighters were dealing with the smoke.
He said that some areas were being evacuated and warned people to stay away from the area.
Interstate 20 was shut down in both directions in the area, the Georgia Department of Transportation said in a post on X.
The federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division were both at the scene to monitor the air and identify what the plume consists of.
Firefighters were working on removing the chemical from the building, away from the water source, the fire service said.
Once the product is contained, the situation will then be assessed and residents will be informed when it is safe to return to their homes, Ms McDaniel said.
Charlie Kirk has been posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Donald Trump.
The USA’s highest civilian honour was received by the conservative activist’s widow, Erika, at the White House.
Mr Kirk, 31, was fatally shot on 10 September while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University.
He founded Turning Point USA and toured American university campuses, debating students about current affairs.
Erika Kirk at the White House. Pic: Reuters
Erika Kirk and Donald Trump. Pic: Reuters
Addressing those attending the ceremony in the White House rose garden, the US president said they were there to “honour and remember a fearless warrior for liberty” and a “beloved leader who galvanised the next generation”.
He said Mr Kirk’s name was being entered “forever into the eternal roster of true American heroes”.
Mr Trump described Charlie Kirk as an “American patriot of the deepest conviction, the finest quality and the highest calibre”.
He said his nation had been “robbed” of an “extraordinary champion”.
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Has Charlie Kirk become a MAGA ‘martyr’?
And Mr Trump said Mr Kirk was assassinated in the “prime of his life for boldly speaking the truth, for living his faith, and relentlessly fighting for a better and stronger America”.
The ceremony coincided with what would have been Mr Kirk’s 32nd birthday.
Mr Trump described Erika Kirk, now head of Turning Point USA, as someone who had “endured unspeakable hardship with unbelievable strength”.
Read more:
What do we know about Erika Kirk?
Charlie Kirk’s movement is growing in wake of his assassination
Charlie Kirk. File pic: AP
A 22-year-old man, Tyler Robinson, from the city of Washington in Utah has been charged with Mr Kirk’s murder. Prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty.
At a memorial event held at a stadium in Arizona, Erika Kirk told an enormous crowd she forgave her husband’s killer.
“The answer to hate is not hate,” she said.
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