Brunswick, Ga: On Fire And Smoking

On April 15, 2023, a massive fire broke out at the Pinova Plant in Glynn County, Brunswick, Georgia. The fire, which started around 7 a.m., was initially contained and cleared by 10 a.m. However, the flames reignited around 3 p.m., sparking a second massive blaze at the plant. This incident marked the second fire in five months to erupt at a Brunswick plant, following an industrial fire in November 2022 that caused multiple explosions at a chemical plant.

Glynn County Pinova plant fire

On Saturday, April 15, 2023, a massive fire broke out at the Pinova Plant in Glynn County, Georgia. The Pinova Plant is a plastic resin manufacturing company located on Cook Street in Brunswick. The fire started around 7 a.m. and was initially contained around 10 a.m., but it reignited in the afternoon, prompting evacuations and a shelter-in-place order for people within a half-mile radius of the plant.

The Brunswick City Fire Department and Glynn County Fire Department worked to contain the blaze, with assistance from mutual aid resources and fire departments from other counties in Georgia and Florida. The fire caused concern among residents, with some reporting a smell and lightheadedness. The fire was finally extinguished around 10 p.m., and all evacuation and shelter-in-place orders were lifted.

The cause of the fire was initially unknown, and an inspection was conducted by the Georgia Fire Marshal and Pinova plant officials to determine the origin of the fire. It was later determined that the fire started in the terpene resin area of the facility, which is used for adhesives, construction specialties, flavors, fragrances, personal care, and other household items.

During the incident, two people suffered minor burns and were treated by paramedics onsite. The Red Cross set up a shelter at Howard Coffin Park for evacuees, and law enforcement facilitated traffic and provided escorts and patrols for safety. The fire also led to a state of emergency being declared by Brunswick Mayor Cosby Johnson, who cited uncertainty about the fire's containment and wind conditions as reasons for the declaration.

The Pinova plant sustained structural damage, but no chemical tanks were affected. The company is working with officials to conduct a full investigation, and the final decision on plant operations will be made after the completion of the inspection.

Evacuation orders

In April 2023, a massive fire broke out at the Pinova Plant in Brunswick, Georgia, resulting in evacuation and shelter-in-place orders for the surrounding areas. The fire, which started around 7 a.m., was initially cleared and contained by 10 a.m. However, it reignited around 3 p.m., sending a plume of heavy, black smoke over Riverside.

In response to the fire, Brunswick Mayor Cosby Johnson issued a shelter-in-place order during a briefing at the Mobile Command Center at 8:30 p.m. The order was put in place due to the uncertainty of the fire's containment and the unpredictable wind conditions. Mayor Johnson also recommended voluntary evacuations for residents living within at least a half-mile radius of the plant, urging them to prioritise their safety and that of their fellow citizens.

Glynn County officials ordered a shelter-in-place for residents of St. Simons Island and areas north of the St. Simons Island Airport within a one-mile radius of the plant. Glynn County police shut off part of L Street and access roads into neighbourhoods where the shelter-in-place advisory was in effect.

The Dover Bluff area of Camden County and the south side of the Port of Brunswick were also evacuated, and two schools within 2.3 miles of the plant were placed under shelter-in-place orders.

The fire at the Pinova Plant was eventually extinguished, and the evacuation and shelter-in-place orders were lifted shortly after 10 p.m.

In November 2022, a similar incident occurred when an industrial fire and explosions at the Symrise plant in Glynn County, Brunswick, prompted evacuations and shelter-in-place orders. The fire, which occurred during a shift change, resulted in the evacuation of the plant and neighbourhoods within a one-mile radius. Three neighbourhoods—Hickory Bluff, Royal Oaks, and Satilla Shores—were evacuated, with residents of the latter two allowed to return home by 2:50 p.m. The Dover Bluff area of Camden County and the south side of the Port of Brunswick were also evacuated.

Fire at a warehouse

On April 15, 2023, a massive fire broke out at the Pinova Plant in Brunswick, Georgia. The fire started around 7 a.m. and was contained just before 10 a.m. However, around 3 p.m., the flames reignited, sparking a second massive fire at the plant in five months.

The Brunswick City and Glynn County fire departments responded to the incident, and additional crews from Wayne, Chatham, and Camden counties were brought in to assist in fighting the blaze. The Georgia Forestry Commission also conducted airdrops on the site.

As a result of the fire, a shelter-in-place and evacuation order was issued for residents within a one-mile radius of the plant due to wind conditions. Those within a half-mile radius were evacuated, and the Red Cross set up a temporary shelter in the region. There were no reported injuries due to the fire.

The cause of the fire is still unknown, and it is unclear how many people were impacted by the evacuation. However, officials worked swiftly to contain the blaze and ensure the safety of the residents.

The fire at the warehouse in Brunswick, Georgia, highlights the importance of emergency response and the dedication of fire departments in protecting the community. With their swift action and collaboration, they were able to extinguish the blaze, prevent injuries, and minimize the impact on the surrounding area.

Fire at a chemical plant

On April 15, 2023, a massive fire broke out at the Glynn County Pinova Plant in Brunswick, Georgia. The fire started around 7 a.m. and was initially cleared and contained before 10 a.m. However, the flames reignited around 3 p.m. the same day.

The Pinova Plant fire prompted a shelter-in-place and evacuation orders for the surrounding areas. Those within a one-mile radius of the plant were advised to shelter in place, while those within a half-mile radius were evacuated. The evacuation was necessary due to the large amount of smoke and unfavourable wind conditions, which blew the smoke plume across the marsh onto St. Simons Island.

The Brunswick City and Glynn County fire departments, along with additional crews from nearby counties and the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department, worked to combat the blaze. The Georgia Forestry Commission also conducted airdrops to assist in extinguishing the fire.

This incident marked the second massive fire at a Brunswick plant in a span of five months. In November, an industrial fire sparked multiple explosions at a chemical plant in the city.

While there were no reported injuries due to the Pinova Plant fire, the cause of the blaze remained unknown. The fire highlighted the importance of proactive fire prevention, emergency response, and community safety measures in Brunswick, Georgia.

No injuries reported

On April 15, 2023, a massive fire broke out at the Glynn County Pinova Plant in Brunswick, Georgia. The fire started around 7 a.m. and was contained just before 10 a.m. However, the flames reignited around 3 p.m. the same day.

The fire caused a significant response from local authorities. The Brunswick City and Glynn County fire departments, along with additional crews from nearby counties and the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department, worked to combat the blaze. The Georgia Forestry Commission also conducted airdrops to assist in extinguishing the fire.

As a result of the fire, evacuation orders and shelter-in-place recommendations were issued for residents in the surrounding areas. Glynn County officials advised those within a one-mile radius of the plant to shelter in place due to wind conditions, while those within a half-mile radius were instructed to evacuate. The Red Cross stepped in to set up a temporary shelter for those affected by the evacuation.

Despite the magnitude of the fire and the necessary safety precautions, no injuries were reported. This was confirmed by Glynn County Director of Communications Katie Baasen, who also stated that the cause of the fire was unknown at the time.

The Pinova Plant fire highlights the swift and coordinated efforts of emergency responders and local authorities in Brunswick, Georgia. Their successful collaboration ensured the safety of residents and minimized the impact of the fire, demonstrating their commitment to protecting the community.

While the cause of the fire remained unclear, the incident marked the second massive blaze at the Glynn County Pinova Plant within a short span. The previous fire, which occurred in November, involved multiple explosions at the chemical plant.

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