CONYERS, Ga. — BioLab announced it will not reopen its plant. The news comes eight months after a catastrophic fire forced the evacuation of nearly 20,000 people.
Channel 2’s Richard Elliot learned that a distribution center and some offices will remain open, but the plant that was there won’t be rebuilt.
In a statement, BioLab said:
“Over the last several months, BioLab has continued to make significant progress on cleaning up the Conyers site and has now completed its remediation of the facility affected by the fire.
“At the same time, throughout this period, we have remained unable to resume manufacturing operations in Conyers. After taking steps to meet customer needs through alternative production, and in considering our future business needs carefully, we have made the difficult decision to not restart manufacturing at the Conyers plant.
“The Conyers Distribution Center, which was cleared by relevant authorities to reopen in November 2024, will remain operational and will continue to fulfill customer orders for finished products from other manufacturing facilities.
“We take our role in Conyers very seriously, and as we move forward, the safety and well-being of the Conyers community remain a top priority.”
RELATED STORIES:
- BioLab faces more than $61,000 in fines after Rockdale County chemical fire
- BIOLAB FIRE: US Senators, Georgia Rep. push for updates on fire investigation in Rockdale County
- BioLab employee heard popping, smelled strong odor before chemical fire: federal report
- BIOLAB FIRE: Rockdale County neighbors angry after plant partially re-opens
- ‘Enough is enough’: Commissioners to file federal lawsuit over BioLab fire, chemical plume
- Rockdale County students returning to in-person classes after BioLab fire
- First payments go out to those impacted by the BioLab fire as lawyers stress to be cautious
- BioLab opens community assistance center to help residents, business owners affected by fire
- Lawmakers demand EPA regulate BioLab following chemical fire, chlorine plume
Neighbors who live nearby said they didn’t know about the move until Elliot told them.
Rockdale County High School senior Jesus Lopez said the former plant is barely half a mile from their back door.
“I’m just very blessed that that’s happening. It puts me at ease that it won’t happen again,” Lopez said.
Lopez said his family lived in fear of that plant dating back to an early fire nearly 20 years ago.
His mother has a heart condition, and they always feared another fire, and in September 2024, it happened.
Plumes of brown smoke billowed out from the site, and deputies came to their door ordering them to evacuate at 6:30 in the morning.
Lopez told Elliot that it was a terrifying time.
“My mom’s disabled. She’s got a bad heart. Just thinking of what effects that could have on her and all of us living here. It was just scary,” Lopez said.
Shamel Hill lives right next door to Lopez.
“We were the first wave to evacuate. They came about 6:30 and said, ‘Oh, there’s a fire and you need to evacuate,’” Hill said.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
She said the evacuation was a chaotic mess with no one knowing exactly what to do because of all the smoke. She said even with the closing, she’s worried about the aftermath.
“Because even now we’re thinking about if the drinking water is safe, if the air quality is safe. They tell us that, but you’re always skeptical,” Hill said.
The Hills are part of a class action lawsuit against the biolab company.
©2025 Cox Media Group
