Fire at Chemical Plant, Caution Advised for Residents

A fire has broken out at the Symrise chemical plant in the Colonel’s Island area, at 209 SCM Road. Glynn County Fire is being assisted by Brunswick, Jekyll, Brantley, Camden, and Jacksonville fire crews. The plant has been evacuated.

There are concerns about potential explosions and a 1 mile radius is being cleared.

A code red alert has been sent to residents of Satilla Shores advising them to shelter in place.

A potential evacuation is being coordinated in case it’s necessary.

Refresh this story for updates.

UPDATE: Glynn County has issued the following statement:

"Industrial Fire at Symrise

Glynn County, GA – Glynn County Fire Rescue received a call at approximately 3:56AM,

Monday, November 7, regarding a fire at the Symrise plant located at 209 SCM Road. Upon

arrival, a small explosion occurred, and the response team began to determine the source of the

fire and attempt to extinguish it. Additional regional resources were requested for assistance and

the team continued to respond for 2 hours.

A total of three explosions were emitted from the plant, the first on arrival and two more as the

response team began to pull back from the site. The chemical source of the fire is hydrogen

peroxide pinene which is manufactured at the plant. Crews pulled back from fire as resources

were being depleted and other regional departments arrived to assist.

A one-mile radius was advised for evacuations as a precaution from smoke and further

possibility of explosions. This included the neighborhoods of Satilla Shores and Royal Oaks. A

temporary shelter has been set up at Ballard Gym in Brunswick for citizens in the evacuation

zone until further notice. Camden County evacuated residents in the Dover Bluff and Hickory

Bluff. Two schools in the area were given a shelter in place notice.

This is a multi-agency coordination with fire crews from Glynn County, Nahunta, Jekyll Island,

City of Brunswick, Camden County, Jacksonville (FL) and Savannah. There are also staff from

Glynn County Emergency Management, Department of Natural Resources as well as officers

from Glynn Cunty Police Department, Glynn County Sheriff’s Office and Camden County

Sheriff’s Office. Hazmat teams from Jacksonville and Savannah are also on site and working

with officials from Symrise to investigate and mitigate the hazardous materials.

Updates will be given as evaluation and investigation are conducted throughout the day."

UPDATE: Ballard Park has been opened as a place for evacuees to go if they have nowhere else to go until it’s clear to return home. The initial location of Selden Park has been ruled out due to its being a voting location.

UPDATE: The latest from Glynn county. The call came in at 3:56am alerting first responders to the fire. The plant was immediately evacuated. There are currently 3 neighborhoods under evacuation orders: Royal Oaks, Satilla Shores, and Hickory Bluff. Anyone within a 3-mile radius is advised to shelter in place. Officials are still concerned about the wind shifting and sending fumes in other directions, but the fire itself is now contained and should burn itself out.

UPDATE: Satilla Marsh and Risley Middle are in shelter in place. No outside activities. Buses are on standby in case there is a need to evacuate.

UPDATE: Satilla Shores, Hickory Bluff being evacuated. Royal Oaks is under shelter in place orders 1 firefighter has minor injuries.

UPDATE: There is a 1-mile evacuation radius and a 3-mile shelter in place radius.

UPDATE: Hickory Bluff neighborhood is being evacuated.


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