Georgia residents urged to evacuate as toxic smoke pours out of chemical-fueled inferno

A fire at a BioLab chemical plant in Georgia has officials urging some residents to evacuate. 

The fire began at the plant in Conyers, about 32 miles southeast of Atlanta, at 5 a.m. on Sunday, according to Fox News, and huge billows of toxic smoke started spreading in the afternoon.  

At a press conference Sunday morning, Rockdale County Fire Chief Marian McDaniel said that a sprinkler head at the plant, which produces pool chemicals, malfunctioned and "caus[ed] a mixture with a water reactive chemical."

"We are strongly encouraging everyone, no matter where you're coming from, but especially Rockdale residents, to stay out of this area for the safety of yourself, and for the safety of all personnel that are out here already that have to work this type of incident," Rockdale County officials advised.