On the morning of July 15th, several homes located miles away experienced tremors as a result of a succession of explosions that caused a small flame to persistently burn at the Chemical Dow facility in Iberville Parish, Louisiana – WAFB

On the evening of July 14, at approximately 9:15 p.M., The explosions that occurred on Friday were reported, and there were no recorded injuries, according to plant officials, who stated that all employees were safe.

The occurrence took place in the Glycol 2 department of the facility, as stated by Dow officials. Both company and local authorities will carry out a comprehensive examination to ascertain the reason behind the incident, they further stated.

Footage from the nearby scene displayed flames erupting from the establishment and a substantial quantity of smoke ascending into the atmosphere.

Teams have been able to significantly decrease the fire and are currently striving to completely put it out.

Brett Stassi, the Sheriff of Iberville Parish, stated that the air monitoring conducted outside the establishment did not detect any hazardous substances.

Iberville Parish leaders stated that they would post additional updates. The order to “shelter in place” was lifted at 5 a.M. On Saturday, July 15. At some point during the night, Iberville Parish Emergency Preparedness Officials advised residents within a half-mile radius of the facility to “shelter in place.”

LA 1, Highway 405, and Enterprise Road leading to Sid Richardson are now accessible to motorists.

Dow has informed Iberville Parish that they are currently conducting air monitoring and have not detected any readings at this moment.

Stassi stated, “There were no casualties,” following the incident, while the Dow Fire Unit is currently in the process of reducing the temperature of the tanks in the vicinity where the fire took place, and they are continuing to provide updates to us.

Haydel exclaimed, “We gazed upwards and the entire sky was illuminated with a vibrant orange hue.” He witnessed multiple detonations within a brief span of time and was in close proximity to the facility alongside his family members, Kenneth Haydel.

People living as far as along Burbank Drive in Baton Rouge reported that the blasts rattled their houses.

The following statement was issued by Dow officials, informing the public about the incident that occurred on Friday.

At approximately 9:15 p.m. central time, on Friday, July 14, there was a fire at Dow’s Louisiana Operations in Plaquemine, Louisiana. The incident occurred in Dow’s Gylcol 2 Unit. All employees are safe and accounted for.

Out of an abundance of caution, Iberville Parish declared a shelter in place ½ mile on the south side of the site. The shelter in place was lifted at 3:42 a.m. Highway LA 1 reopened at 8:45 a.m.

Crews have substantially reduced the fire and are working to fully extinguish it. Dow, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, and a third-party company conducted air monitoring throughout the night and did not detect any community impact. Air monitoring is ongoing.

Dow is committed to high operational and safety practices that consistently meet or exceed regulations and applicable laws. Dow and local officials will conduct a full review to understand the cause of this incident.

Dow extends its thanks to the local and state authorities for their assistance.

Updates will continue to be posted on the Dow Louisiana Operations Facebook page.