US chemical plant fire prompts evacuations

Authorities in the US state of Georgia issued evacuation orders after a chemical plant caught fire near Atlanta on Sunday.

The fire broke out on the roof of BioLab in Conyers, Georgia, around 5 a.m. A sprinkler malfunction caused water to react with a chemical, sparking a fire, the chief of Rockdale County Fire Rescue said.Evacuations were ordered in the area surrounding the plant while other residents were told to shelter in place and keep their windows closed and air conditioners turned off.

Multiple roads were closed. It was unclear how many people were impacted by the evacuation or shelter-in-place orders.BioLab, which produces pool and spa chemicals, said there had been no injuries reported among its employees.