MORROW, Ga. — Environmental experts say the air quality in the area of a Morrow business that went up in flames Wednesday should now be fine.
Emergency crews evacuated residents who lived around the Tensar International Manufacturing Facility on Citizens Parkway Wednesday after the fire started.
Plumes of black smoke could be seen for miles from that fire, and many people worried about what they might be breathing in.
Channel 2's Ryan Young spoke with residents at an apartment complex about a mile away from the factory.
Residents said they received a knock on their door around 2:30 p.m. telling them to get out.
Trevor Peacock said he didn't know what was going on, but when he walked outside his apartment the sky was completely black.
SLIDESHOW: Dark Smoke, Flames Over Clayton County
"They were knocking on everyone else's door," he said.
Peacock said it looked like a thunderstorm but was soon informed of the industrial fire just down the road.
As the fire grew, the wind shifted and that's when emergency crews told residents they had to evacuate.
Clayton County officials told neighbors Thursday that it was safe to go back to their homes.
"They advised us (the Environmental Protection Agency) they will continue to monitor the area as well as the streams, storm drains, all those type things," said Jeff Hood, chief of Clayton County Fire and Rescue.
Clayton County fire officials determined the blaze was set by a metal grate that had scraped against the pavement, causing sparks and setting some of the products on fire.
WSBTV
