KPLC TV is reporting that their has been a plant explosion in Geismar, LA.  Officials with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is asking residents in St. Gabriel to shelter in place as a precaution.

The Iberville Office of Emergency Preparedness is currently reporting several injuries with at least six burn victims who've been taken to Baton Rouge General Hospital and  Our Lady of the Lake Hospital via helicopter. Emergency crews are on still the scene.  Officials are reporting that the incident occurred at 8:37 a.m. this morning and believe the fire is contained.  However, they're not sure if the air quality is safe, so their asking that residents shelter in place as a precaution.  Here's more info courtisy of KPLC-TV:

According to Louisiana State Police, the plant has been evacuated and their are several road closures until further notice. There were as many as 600 workers in the plant at the time of the explosion.

For those seeking family members, the Ascension Parish Emergency Operations Center has a set up a phone number: 866-380-2303 for callers to check on the status of their loved ones.  On that same note, Baton Rouge General Hospital also released a phone number for family members seeking info about potential victims. That number is 225-387-7767.

Here is a list of the road closures:

  • LA 74 and LA 30 at LA 3115
  • LA 30 at LA 74 is closed
  • LA 30 at LA 73
  • LA 75 at LA 3115

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

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