In Conyers, Georgia, the shelter-in-place alert was expanded after chlorine was detected in the air

On Monday, the shelter-in-place order was extended for an entire Georgia county after chlorine was discovered in the air from a chemical lab where there was a fire the day before.

A chemical fire ignited on the roof of the BioLab facility in Conyers, Rockdale County, at 5 a.m. Sunday after a sprinkler head malfunctioned, “causing a mixture containing a water-reactive chemical,” Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel said . the fire, which reignited for a few hours has since been extinguished.

The resulting release of chemical gas led to protective measures being recommended for the entire county of 93,570 residents until midnight and residents near the plant receiving mandatory evacuation orders. Rockdale County expanded its shelter-in-place advisory for residents in an update early Monday morning.

Officials did not confirm Sunday what chemical the release was, but the county said air quality tests conducted by the Environmental Protection Division and the Environmental Protection Agency detected chlorine in the air from the lab.

“For anyone staying on-site, it is best to turn off the air conditioning and keep windows and doors closed,” the district advised.

The county also announced that all government facilities will remain closed Monday and recommended businesses close operations until protective measures are lifted. The district has not made it clear when that will happen.

The BioLab facility is operated by operator KIK Consumer Products, which produces chlorine-based pool cleaning products under the Clorox brand.

“Acute exposure to chlorine gas initially causes coughing, eye and nose irritation, tearing, and a burning sensation in the chest,” the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. “It can lead to narrowing of the airways and non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema.”

According to KIK Consumer Products, no employee injuries were reported. It is currently unclear whether there were any injuries among the residents.

The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. On Sunday, Fire Chief McDaniel said the sprinkler system and then firefighters may have made the chemical reaction worse by pouring water on it.

“We fought the fire with water,” McDaniel said during the update, “but the water also increases the effects of the chemical.”

When asked if Hurricane Helene and its aftermath may have contributed to starting the fire and chemical reaction, the chief said it was too early to tell.

Interstate 20, which was closed after the incident, has since reopened, the county said. Several roads in the area remain closed as of Monday morning.