An explosion at a Louisiana chemical plant has resulted in serious deaths.
According to CBS News, the explosion resulted in over 30 injuries.
It started early this morning around 8:30 a.m. and ignited a fire through the Williams Olefins petrochemical plant in Geismar, La. about 20 miles south of Baton Rouge.
According to The Chicago Tribune, the company reported that, “the Emergency shut-down valves have been closed. The unit is isolated.”
"It's an active scene. The fire department, the sheriff's office and hazmat (hazardous materials) team are responding to the explosion at the Williams Olefins plant," said Amy Johnson, a spokeswoman for the Ascension Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.
Jean Kelly, spokeswoman for the state Department of Environmental Quality reported that 30 victims were taken away by ambulance and three of four by helicopter. Eight of these victims were taken for treatment at Baton Rouge General Medical Center, where more were expected.
The Louisiana plant is responsible for producing highly flammable fundamental gases in the petrochemical industry and polymer grade propylene for the plastic industry.
Though tests conducted after the explosion did not reveal dangerous levels chemicals around the plant in Geismar, residents have been told remain inside with doors and windows closed.
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