US factory fire triggers evacuation order; new owners shut down conservative social media

A large fire at a plastics factory in the US state of Georgia on Saturday led to local officials issuing an evacuation order due to concerns about potentially hazardous smoke. The fire, which began early on Saturday at a plastic resin plant in Brunswick, was initially brought under control by firefighters but later reignited. It led to large plumes of smoke billowing into the sky, and prompted the Glynn County Board of Commissioners to advise residents within a half mile of the plant to evacuate their homes. Brunswick Mayor Cosby Johnson declared a local state of emergency. The cause of the fire was not immediately clear, and no injuries were reported as of Saturday.

It follows a similar blaze at a plastics plant in Indiana on Tuesday, which also led to concerns about potentially toxic pollution. Officials are analyzing water and air samples to determine if there is any ongoing risk to residents.