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Shelter-in-place order for more than 90,000 Georgia residents is lifted after chemical fire

Summary

A shelter-in-place order affecting over 90,000 residents near Atlanta, Georgia, was lifted after a weekend chemical fire at the BioLab plant in Conyers. The fire produced a toxic cloud, leading to strong chemical smells and a visible haze that spread to Atlanta. Firefighters detected chlorine in the air, a dangerous irritant, but air quality readings from the Environmental Protection Agency later deemed the area safe. Businesses were permitted to resume operations, and schools suspended outdoor activities as a precaution. The fire started due to a malfunction in the plant's sprinkler system, which mixed water with a reactive chemical. No injuries were reported.

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