TOCCOA, Ga. — A large commercial fire at the Toccoa Water Treatment Plant destroyed a metal shop building Friday evening, prompting a multi-agency response and road closures in the area.
The Stephens County Emergency Management Agency issued a public alert around 6:45 p.m. on March 20 stating there was no danger to the public and that “no chemicals had been released.”
Officials cautioned that a green-colored, water-soluble dye used in the treatment process might be visible, but officials said it is safe.
Cause under investigation
According to fire crews on the scene, the blaze broke out in a shop area near the facility’s offices and administrative building. The Toccoa Fire Department responded, with assistance from Stephens County Fire units.
Firefighters contained the blaze to a single structure, but the shop where it started was destroyed.
Authorities told Now Georgia that the fire did not affect water quality. No injuries have been reported.
Falls Road was shut down during the response and remained partially closed into the late evening on Friday as crews continued cleanup and investigated the cause of the fire. Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage from the facility as part of their effort to determine how the fire started.
