The Valdosta Fire Chief reports three people were taken to the hospital with injuries from the blast. Their conditions were not immediately available. No fatalities have been reported.
Officials say they first received a call at 2:22 p.m. Wednesday to the Perma-Fix Environmental Services near Industrial Boulevard. Plumes of smoke and flames could be seen more than one hundred feet in the air.
City officials say more than 40 firefighters and other emergency crews initially responded to the scene.
Emergency crews from surrounding communities have been called to the scene and more volunteers are expected.
The Valdosta Fire Chief said the fire is under control but not out. Everyone one mile south of the facility has been evacuated from the area.
According to their website, Perma-Fix Environmental Services is a global provider of nuclear services and radioactive waste management solutions.
The Valdosta facility, Perma-Fix of South Georgia is a waste treatment facility that processes and disposes of hazardous and non-hazardous waste liquid, solids and sludges.