Firefighters were called to BioLab shortly before 6:15 p.m. today. Deputies closed portions of Old Covington Highway and Industrial Boulevard for a short period. No evacuations were called as of 7 p.m., according to Sheriff Jeff Wigington.

Thin, hazy clouds could be seen blowing from behind the front building and emergency personnel turned away drivers, warning of possible effects of chlorine powder clouds in the air.

The BioLab storage facility in Conyers was the site of an intense chemical fire in May 2004. A new company, Kiser Harris Chemical Distribution Centers Inc. of Belmont, N.C., took over management of the facility last fall.

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