Fire forces hundreds from Atlanta homes

Jet, June 14, 2004

FIRE FORCES HUNDREDS FROM ATLANTA HOMES: A huge chemical fire, which pushed plumes of gray, green and white chlorine-tinged smoke into the air, recently forced hundreds, including Darryl Brown, 32, and his 5-month-old daughter, Alicia, to flee their homes in Conyers, GA. The blaze at Bio Lab Inc.

warehouse was fueled by 125 tons of dry chlorine pellets, which are used to clean pools and spas. Rockdale Fire officials stated that the fire was caused by a "variety of chemical reactions" that overwhelmed the warehouse's sprinkler system and spread beyond fire-resistant walls. Although the cause of the fire was under investigation, it was not considered suspicious.