Atlanta News category interest

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A Rockdale County official died after giving testimony at a hearing on the BioLab chemical fire, according to the Georgia House Democratic Caucus.

The caucus said Rockdale Soil and Water Conservation District State Board Chairman Kenny Johnson “complained of shortness of breath and subsequently collapsed in the hallway” outside of the hearing. State Rep. Viola Davis, who is a nurse, administered CPR before professionals arrived. Johnson was taken to the hospital, where he later died.

The hearing was on the impact of the fire at the BioLab facility in Conyers on the surrounding community. The fire led to a huge hazardous plume appearing Rockdale County and other parts of metro Atlanta; it resulted in evacuation and shelter-in-place orders that are still in effect for some residents.

In a statement to Atlanta News First Monday, Johnson called the fire an “environmental disaster.”

Rep. Davis released a statement following Johnson’s death.