Georgia chemical plant catches fire, causing area to be evacuated
Some residents were still not cleared to return home by Monday afternoon
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A chemical plant in Georgia caught fire on Monday morning, leading to evacuations of nearby residents as the blaze burned.
The fire at the plant in Brunswick, Georgia, started around 4am, and has forced evacuations in around 100 homes, reports the Associated Press.
Three explosions were reported after crews had responded to the initial call to the fire department, the Glynn County government said in a statement.
Symrise, the German company that runs the plant, said in a statement that the facility produces fragrances for household products like perfume and detergent. The company added that it does not believe the fire will create any “additional health hazards” for the community.
The Glynn County government said that the fire was burning from a chemical called hydrogen peroxide pinene. A statement from Symrise said that the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
Eric Prosswimmer, a fire captain from nearby Jacksonville, Florida, who was on the scene, told AP that one firefighter had been injured and taken to the hospital, but was in stable condition. He added that three metal tanks full of chemicals had exploded due to the heat from the flames.
Glynn County said that local fire crews had been joined by firefighters from Jacksonville and Savannah, Georgia. The plant sits about halfway between the two cities along the Georgia coastline.
The communities of Satilla Shores and Royal Oaks were evacuated, the sheriff’s office said on Facebook, and as of the afternoon, residents were not cleared to return home. In neighbouring Camden County, the communities of Hickory Bluff, Dover Bluff, Waverly, Lampadoshia and parts of Sanctuary Bluff were being asked to shelter in place.
All homes within a one-mile (1.6-kilometre) radius had been evacuated, with homes within three miles (4.8 km) had been told to shelter in place, AP reports.
The Glynn County government reported that two schools were under shelter-in-place orders on Monday. Children who live in Royal Oaks and Santilla and take the bus to school will need to be picked up by their parents, they added, since buses will not be allowed in restricted areas.
Camden County said that some residents had reported a smell in the air, which they confirmed to be a result of terpenes from the chemical plant. While this can aggravate some health conditions like asthma, the smell is non-toxic, the county added.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments