Massive Fire, Explosions at Chemical Plant Force Evacuations

A massive fire and several explosions occurred at the Symrise chemical plant in Brunswick, GA in the early hours of Monday morning, leading officials to issue shelter-in-place orders for some neighborhoods and near the plant evacuations in other areas amid concerns that smoke generated from the scene could be harmful.

The blaze started around 4 a.m. as a shift change was taking place at the facility, causing three explosions, Jacksonville Fire Rescue Capt. Eric Prosswimmer told News4Jax.com. He identified hydrogen peroxide pinene as the primary chemical fueling the fire.

Firefighters from numerous area fire departments and HAZMAT crews responded to the site. The three blasts happened after emergency personnel arrived on scene, the Savannah Morning News detailed. A post on the Glynn County Board of Commissioners Facebook page instructed those living within a 3-mile radius of the facility to shelter-in-place and told three neighborhoods within one mile of the plant to evacuate.

One firefighter was reportedly injured during the response. Plant staff also evacuated the facility during the incident, according to the Glynn County Sheriff’s Office. County officials said an investigation is ongoing.

Symrise manufactures pinene, a terpene used in fragrances, at the Brunswick site.