ATHENS, Ga.,None — Thick, black smoke continued to billow from a fire at an Athens plant hours after it started, and firefighters had backed away because of toxic fumes from chemicals inside.
Officials were using air and water monitors on Wednesday to evaluate the risks to the environment near the J&J Chemical Company, said Channel 2's Manuel Bojorquez.
Chuck Gulley, coordinator of the Athens-Clarke Emergency Management Agency, said fire units were dispatched just after midnight, but the fire has rekindled several times.
The facility is in a mostly industrial area, however employees of the adjacent McAnn Aerospace Machining Corp. were evacuated.
Gulley said people who live near the plant should consider staying indoors until the dangers from formaldehyde and other chemicals are evaluated.
Gulley said J&J uses the chemicals to manufacture toilet deodorizers and other products. The building was a total loss, according to Gulley.
Investigators said they would work to determine what started the fire once the flames had subsided.