Chemical plant explosion injures 6 in southwest Louisiana, reports say. What we know

A large explosion the morning of Jan. 26 at the Westlake Chemical South plant near Lake Charles, Louisiana, rattled the nearby area, news outlets reported, leaving plumes of thick, black smoke billowing out of the plant, which was filmed by drivers and people close by.

The plant reported six injuries, none that are life-threatening, according to KPLC. A spokesperson told the outlet that five workers were transported to nearby hospitals and one was treated on scene.

According to KPLC, the incident was due to an empty ethylene dichloride tank in the plant, which combusted. A shelter-in-place order was initially issued for the area surrounding the plant but has been lifted, WBRZ reported.

Citizens took to Twitter to discuss the large explosion and filmed the pillars of smoke rising from the plant. One resident described the smoke as a “mushroom cloud.”

The explosion occurred just before 11 a.m., Joe Andrepont, Westlake Chemical spokesperson, told the American Press. The fire was extinguished quickly because the tank that exploded was empty.

The cause of the tank explosion is under investigation, Andrepont told the American Press, and the company had notified the Calcasieu Office of Emergency Preparedness, Louisiana State Police and the Coast Guard of the incident.

McClatchy News has reached out to Louisiana State Police and Westlake Chemical for comment on the explosion and did not receive an immediate response.

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