Some residents east of Atlanta were evacuated while others were told to shelter in place Sunday to avoid contaminants from a chemical plant fire that sent dark, billowing gray smoke into the air.

A fire at a Georgia chemical plant apparently caused by a sprinkler head malfunction Sunday morning is forcing evacuations, including of a local hospital, and road closures in the area, according to Rockdale County officials.

People in the northern part of Rockdale County were ordered to evacuate and others were told to shelter in place with windows and doors closed.