CONYERS, Ga. (AP) — In a significant development surrounding a hazardous incident that occurred last year, federal authorities have determined that a Georgia-based company improperly stored dangerous chemicals, contributing to a fire that sparked a toxic chemical cloud over the southeastern outskirts of Atlanta.

The fire, which took place on September 29 at the BioLab Inc. plant in Conyers, Georgia, resulted in serious consequences including the closure of a major interstate highway, the cancellation of classes for local schoolchildren, and the enforcement of shelter-in-place orders affecting thousands of residents as noxious fumes drifted into suburban areas of Atlanta.

The U.S. Department of Labor reported this week that BioLab Inc. has been cited for six violations of safety regulations, four of which were classified as serious infractions. As a result, the company is facing potential penalties exceeding $60,000. This decision comes following an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which looked into the causes and safety practices surrounding the fire.

In a statement responding to the citations, BioLab Inc. asserted that OSHA’s investigation did not specifically concentrate on determining the cause of the fire. Additionally, the company noted that no findings were shared with them that would support the conclusions publicized in the press release regarding the incident's cause. “BioLab takes operational safety very seriously, and the company has been closely cooperating with OSHA,” the firm emphasized, indicating its ongoing commitment to safety and compliance.

The company now has a limited window to either comply with the proposed penalties or contest them. While they have not disclosed their exact course of action, BioLab reassured stakeholders that it would continue to collaborate with federal authorities. In their statement, they remarked, “Consistent with our commitment to working collaboratively with OSHA, we continue to dialogue with the agency and its representatives as we work together to further enhance our safety procedures for the future.”

Details from the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board further illuminate the chaotic moments leading up to the fire. An employee at the BioLab storage warehouse reported hearing a “popping sound” shortly before witnessing a product reactive to water become wet. This alarming situation was exacerbated by a malfunctioning sprinkler head that allowed water to interact with the chemical, triggering a catastrophic reaction.

Despite efforts to contain the dangerous chemical, the worker was ultimately forced to call 911 as “large toxic vapor plumes” erupted within the facility. Simultaneously, flames began to emerge, leading to a second fire event that produced thick black smoke alongside multicolored vapor plumes, as documented by the chemical safety board in their November report.

The fire's intensity resulted in structural collapses within parts of the building, prompting a prolonged emergency response that lasted nearly four weeks. Authorities issued shelter-in-place orders to over 90,000 residents in the vicinity as safety measures were enforced. The BioLab facility is known for manufacturing chemicals aimed at eliminating algae and bacteria, primarily for swimming pools and hot tubs. Notably, the company operates as a subsidiary of KIK Consumer Products, which is based in Lawrenceville, Georgia.