Brunswick chemical fire out, evacuations lifted
A chemical fire just outside Brunswick is now out after firefighters battled flames for about 12 hours Monday. Evacuation orders have been lifted.
Crews from as far south as Jacksonville and as far north as Savannah were on scene to help with the efforts. Now firefighters will lay down foam to control any hotpots throughout Monday night and the State Fire Marshal will investigate the cause.
Operations at the Georgia Ports Colonel’s Island Terminal will resume operation on the south side Tuesday after it was paused all day.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
The fire sparked around 4 a.m. at the Symrise plant, which produces fragrances. It prompted evacuations at surrounding neighborhoods in both Glynn and Camden County that included about 100 homes.
Action News Jax’s Robert Grant spoke to a security guard at the terminal who helped evacuate up to a couple hundred employees.
“As a security guard, I know it’s not my job to save the day or anything — I just want to make sure that everyone who was trying to get out, could get out,” he said.
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
Neighbors described a smell like chlorine and the security guard, who asked not to be named because of his company’s media policy, said it burned his eyes briefly.
“If you’ve ever opened your eyes in a freshly chlorinated pool, that was the sensation,” he said.
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Several neighbors said they stayed indoors to avoid the smell and any possible irritation. Dag Grantham lives in Camden County. He said he heard at least one explosion, and then saw the thick plume of smoke.
One firefighter was taken to the hospital for exhaustion but will be okay.
Related Read: At least 3 explosions in fire at Brunswick chemical plant; neighborhoods evacuated
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
