Chem Spill in Rome: Residents Being Evacuated

Emergency medical personnel from Floyd, Polk and Redmond Regional Medical Center set up a triage center. (Photo: Kevin Myrick / Rome News-Tribune)

Rome law-enforcement officials say there has been a chemical spill in the nearby town of Lindale.

Rome Fire Chief Gordon Henderson says about 8,000 gallons of hydrochloric acid spilled out of a vessel at the Bekaert steel wire plant earlier today.

Henderson says residents in the area of the plant, at 301 Darlington Dr., were evacuated after complaining of breathing difficulties.

Henderson says there were no injuries in what appears to have been an accidental discharge, when a platform holding the the vessel containing the acid collapsed.

Henderson says, that, as of about 2 PM, the "situation was "under control," and that about 100 law-enforcement and rescue personnel were on the scene.

GPB Rome Bureau Chief John Sepulvedo reports that officials have ordered the evacuation of an area from East 20 th. to Old Lindale Rd., near Coosa Valley Tech.

Floyd Co. Sheriff’s Office officials say the whole town is under an evacuation advisory.

Click on the streaming audio player below to hear the interview with Henderson:

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Firefighters' Bagpipes and Drums echo in the Capitol

Fire Department honor guard prepare to enter the rotounda in the Gold Dome, on Tuesday, Feb., 3, 2009. (Photo: Dave Bender)

The strains of Amazing Grace played on bagpipes and drum by members of the Valdosta Fire Department echoed through the rotunda of the state Capitol in Atlanta today, marking the 37th annual Firefighters' Recognition Day.

Valdosta Fire Department bagpipe band playing in the Gold Dome, on Tuesday, Feb., 3, 2009. (Photo: Dave Bender)

Dozens of hook and ladder company fire trucks driven in from several hundred fire departments across the state packed the streets around the Capitol for the colorful, ceremony and Senate proclamation recognizing the bravery of Georgia‘s firefighters.

Firefighters and legislators bow their heads during the playing of Amazing Grace at the Capitol rotunda on Tuesday, Feb., 3, 2009. (Photo: Dave Bender)