Thousands of people were told to stay home with their windows shut Monday after a Sunday fire at a Georgia chemical plant caused a chemical reaction that forced around 17,000 people to evacuate ...

The Mauldin Fire Department responded to a reported chemical spill, with reaction, at the VLS Piedmont at 11:24 a.m. on Friday. Officials said that upon arrival, a fire broke out in the building.

WHEN CREWS ARRIVED, THEY DISCOVERED A FIRE HAD STARTED IN THE BUILDING. INVESTIGATORS SAY A CHEMICAL REACTION STARTED IN A VAT AND CREATED A VAPOR CLOUD, AND THEN HEAT FROM THE REACTION CAUSED A FIRE.