Geismar Plant Explosion Video Shows Louisiana Blazing Inferno; 33 Injured, No Fatalities (PHOTO)
An explosion has rocked the Williams Olefins chemical plant in Geismar, Louisiana at 8:30 a.m. local time, and over 30 people are being treated for injuries with the area around the plant being evacuated.
FuelFix.com has reported that early tests do not indicate any high readings of airborne chemicals, but the residents of the area have been warned to stay inside.
The plant is owned by The Williams Companies and early reports say workers were able to cut off the supply of chemicals to the fire.
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"It looked like a pretty big explosion -- it looks like Williams have taken all the precautions they can do to evacuate all the personnel. The firefighters are responding as needed," he told the station," a witness named Ryan Meador has said.
Ambulances pulled off with around 30 people while helicopters took three or four away, according to reports.
The Geismar plant produces roughly 1.3 billion pounds of ethylene and 90 million pounds of polymer grade propylene annually.
"The Geismar Plant is an effective and dynamic organization, known in our industry as the supplier of choice for our customers; the employer of choice for our staff, who are the key to our success; a welcome neighbor, adding value to the community by our presence," says the company's website regarding the plant.
A shelter has been set in place for the emergency by the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office, according to Ascension Parish Homeland Security.
So far 33 people are reportedly injured with no deaths confirmed.
It is still unclear as to what may have caused the explosion.
