A video posted on X claims to show a fire resulting from an attack on the U.S.

We are under attack.

God, help us… pic.twitter.com/TzIIfqXGCu

— Amy Kremer (@AmyKremer) September 29, 2024

Verdict: False

The footage shows an accidental fire, not a targeted attack.

Fact Check:

A chemical reaction at a BioLab plant in Georgia sparked a massive fire, according to CNN. A preliminary investigation suggests the accident occurred when a broken sprinkler head interacted with a water reactive chemical, the outlet reported.

The post, shared on X by a Republican National Committee Chairwoman Amy Kremer, suggests the nation was “under attack”. Her caption reads, “We are under attack. God, help us.”

The footage, which lasts 18 seconds, shows enormous clouds of black and white smoke, rising high above the buildings and trees nearby. It was taken from the highway passing through Conyers, which is roughly 30 miles outside of Atlanta. (RELATED: FACT CHECK: Viral X Video Shows Hurricane Ian, Not Hurricane Helene)

There is no evidence to suggest the fire was deliberately planned. The video was first posted by meteorologist broadcaster James Spann. He captioned his post with words from a colleague, who informed him that she was on Interstate 20 outside the suburban city, and said that “BioLabs is on fire right now.” A photo in CNN’s report on the incident matches the video footage.

From LeeAnna “James we are on I-20 in Conyers, GA. BioLabs is on fire right now.” pic.twitter.com/31dpjz4HIM

— James Spann (@spann) September 29, 2024

The fire reportedly began on the plant’s roof early Sunday morning. Though it was put out by first responders, it later reignited and had to be extinguished again, CNN noted. Marian McDaniel, Rockdale County Fire Chief, said that the precise cause of the fire is being investigated, NBC News reported. She added that even though the fire is out, the chemical reaction, caused by a chlorine interaction with the water, will permeate the area for “several days.”

No injuries have been reported by either the facility or nearby residents in relation to the explosion. However, the chemical release resulted in a mandatory evacuation of those who live nearest to the BioLab facility, which was issued on Sunday morning. In addition to the roughly 17,000 people who were evacuated, there is an ongoing shelter in place order in effect that impacts the more than 90,000 residents in Rockdale County.