Breaking news out of Geismar, Louisiana:
BREAKING: There has been an explosion at the Williams Olefins plant in Geismar. http://t.co/MJqMuKOktq
— WAFB (@WAFB) June 13, 2013
According to Louisiana State Police, it is the Williams Olefins plant on LA 3115.
There have been reports of injuries. Emergency crews are on the scene.
This image of the plant #fire in #Geismar was sent in from a witness. http://t.co/MJqMuKOktq pic.twitter.com/vlvKm4a9r3
— WAFB (@WAFB) June 13, 2013
On scene of possible plant explosion in Geismar. People being evacuated. Follow @wbrz for more details. pic.twitter.com/3ahpCn4Nz5
— Rob Krieger (@Rob_Krieger) June 13, 2013
Updates:
Multiple agencies responding to plant explosion as evac continues. Emergency vehicles speeding by every minute @wbrz pic.twitter.com/02E9eAVesi
— Rob Krieger (@Rob_Krieger) June 13, 2013
Hearing plant exploded is "Williams Olefins Plant" they work w/ ethylene. UNCONFIRMED: source says multiple injuries, possible fatalities.
— Rob Krieger (@Rob_Krieger) June 13, 2013
Source says at least 1,000 employees from CBI at plant. Still working to confirm. @wbrz
— Rob Krieger (@Rob_Krieger) June 13, 2013
Black smoke still billowing from area. @wbrz #GeismarExplosion pic.twitter.com/QbAok992Sb
— Rob Krieger (@Rob_Krieger) June 13, 2013
Blast, fire reported at Louisiana chemicals plant: local TV http://t.co/nnKJ6E2j3z
— Reuters U.S. News (@ReutersUS) June 13, 2013
Reuters reports that an unknown number of injured people are being treated, according to the fire department. Hospitals have reportedly been told to expect patients.
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Source tells me nearby plants sheltering in place and local hospital alerted to expect patients. #GeismarExplosion
— Rob Krieger (@Rob_Krieger) June 13, 2013
Reports are coming in of seven injuries:
BREAKING UPDATE: 7 injuries reported in explosion at plant in Geismar, LA http://t.co/VKtH90sv9s – @WAFB WATCH: http://t.co/dBeCd2Ud2F
— NewsBreaker (@NewsBreaker) June 13, 2013
More images:
Workers waiting outside the entrance of Geismar plant. #watch9news #explosion pic.twitter.com/MpKoKDkHnH
— WAFB (@WAFB) June 13, 2013
First responders outside the entrance of the plant. #watch9news #explosion #geismar http://t.co/4NoYVsFY8w
— WAFB Marketing (@WAFBpromo) June 13, 2013
Another view of fire at Williams Olefins plant in Geismar. pic.twitter.com/YkxzbKeRgk
— Steve Caparotta, Ph.D. (@SteveWAFB) June 13, 2013
The latest news:
Captain Doug Cain of LSP reporting the explosion at Williams Olefins in Geismer reported to state police around 8:30 this morning.
— Paul Murphy (@PMurphyWWL) June 13, 2013
Cain: fire still burning at the plant located near the Ascension/Iberville Parish line.
— Paul Murphy (@PMurphyWWL) June 13, 2013
Cain: there are reports of injuries. Acadian ambulance transporting victims from the plant. No word yet on conditions.
— Paul Murphy (@PMurphyWWL) June 13, 2013
Cain: LSP assessing environmental threat from Williams plant explosion and developing plan to mitigate threat.
— Paul Murphy (@PMurphyWWL) June 13, 2013
There is reportedly the possibility of a secondary explosion:
LSP reporting that the threat of secondary explosion still exists at Williams Olefins plant in Geismer.
— Paul Murphy (@PMurphyWWL) June 13, 2013
Update:
Charlie Kaye of CBS News reports that seven people are dead. Twitchy will update if and when additional confirmation of fatalities is available.
https://twitter.com/CharlieKayeCBS/status/345201087986405378
This tweet from a news organization disputes Kaye’s report. Let’s hope this one is right.
@WAFB says so far no fatal injuries reported at #Louisiana chemical plant explosion. Injured are being taken to area hospitals.
— 10 Tampa Bay (@10TampaBay) June 13, 2013
Update: Good news for now:
WAFB-TV advising Louisiana Emergency Operations Center now backing off its report of 7 dead in the chemical plant explosion.
— Charlie Kaye (@CharlieKayeNews) June 13, 2013
However, six burn victims are reportedly hospitalized.
UPDATE: Six burn victims have been taken to various hospitals by helicopter. #watch9news http://t.co/MJqMuKOktq
— WAFB (@WAFB) June 13, 2013
CNBC reports 25 people injured.
There has been an explosion at a Louisiana chemical plant, 25 people reported injured. • $WMB • Photo via @WAFB: pic.twitter.com/pUYnInI38i
— CNBC (@CNBC) June 13, 2013
Additional confirmation that no fatalities have been reported:
UPDATE: Louisiana State Patrol says NO fatalities reported at Geismar plant explosion. – @WBRZ @PYohe1 @FireRescueTV
— res7cuefox5 (@res7cuefox5) June 13, 2013
STATE POLICE: No confirmed fatalities. Several burn injuries. Victims being transported to BR General – Top Burn Unit in area. @WBRZ
— Rob Krieger (@Rob_Krieger) June 13, 2013
Photos continue to come in:
Black smoke rising over the tree line in Geismer near Williams Olefins plant that exploded this morning. pic.twitter.com/JCn67P4yzs
— Paul Murphy (@PMurphyWWL) June 13, 2013
NEW PHOTO: Incredible photo shows workers fleeing earlier explosion at Geismar, LA plant. pic.twitter.com/Hk3HuBev8V – @WBRZ
— NewsBreaker (@NewsBreaker) June 13, 2013
New picture of #Geismar plant fire from Robby Taylor. pic.twitter.com/huMctOxNw1
— Steve Caparotta, Ph.D. (@SteveWAFB) June 13, 2013
Hazmat teams watched situation from air and now heading into the site with protective gear. Plume thinned out. pic.twitter.com/mAwMwRMSWz
— Rob Krieger (@Rob_Krieger) June 13, 2013
Plume continuing to expand and then thin out, but smoke billowing non-stop. Live report on @wbrz at Noon. pic.twitter.com/1Xyj8g6R3u
— Rob Krieger (@Rob_Krieger) June 13, 2013
Update:
At least 30 victims are hospitalized.
At least 30 victims hospitalized after Geismar plant explosion: http://t.co/illHFPjHAg. Pic: pic.twitter.com/vWeGjUo3aq
— WWL-TV (@WWLTV) June 13, 2013
Gov. Bobby Jindal sends his prayers.
Praying for those affected by the Geismar plant explosion.
— Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) June 13, 2013
Info for family members of possible victims:
BR General says family members or employer personnel seeking info about potential victims can call 225-387-7767. http://t.co/45EFVUeZ7I
— WAFB (@WAFB) June 13, 2013
A clearer photo of workers fleeing the plant:
Photo: Explosion inside Louisiana chemical plant; reports of 25 injuries pic.twitter.com/MeMWyooWel
— NBC News (@NBCNews) June 13, 2013
Fortunately, it appears the plant is in an industrial area and for now, residential neighborhoods are safe.
State police say NO residential impacts from Geismar chemical plant for as of now. Mostly an industrial area
— Sheba Turk (@ShebaTurk) June 13, 2013
Update:
The latest reports indicate one fatality and seven to eight injuries have been confirmed.
Breaking: LSP confirms 1 fatality, 7-8 injuries from plant explosion.
— Cheryl Mercedes (@CMercedesKHOU) June 13, 2013
State Police with update: 1 fatality from plant explosion, 7 – 8 injuries, fire is out, controlled burn going on. pic.twitter.com/Ds6Nq3rCiV
— ?Carolyn Scocially Distanced? (@NewsCarolyn) June 13, 2013
The fire is reportedly out and crews are continuing a controlled burn of hazardous materials.
Fire is out at plant explosion. Haz-Mat operating controlled burn of chemicals now. @wbz pic.twitter.com/1qBPekVG8X
— Rob Krieger (@Rob_Krieger) June 13, 2013
LSP says fire from Williams Olefin explosion is out… Only thing burning now is a controlled fire by haz mat
— Cheryl Mercedes (@CMercedesKHOU) June 13, 2013
Update:
Jindal: 73 workers injured/taken to local hospitals. One killed in plant explosion. @wbrz pic.twitter.com/67ETNpTAq3
— Rob Krieger (@Rob_Krieger) June 13, 2013
State Police say Zachary Green, 29, of Hammond was killed at the Williams Olefins plant this morning during explosion. Live reports on @WBRZ
— Rob Krieger (@Rob_Krieger) June 13, 2013
Update II:
BREAKING: Second man dies after Louisiana chemical #plant #explosion – @WAFB http://t.co/Ja1LOsaRGw pic.twitter.com/nDgX6gPNjp
— NewsBreaker (@NewsBreaker) June 14, 2013
Twitchy will monitor this developing story and update as details become available.
Editor’s note: Injury and fatality reports have been unreliable. We will report the latest, but will not update the title of this post until we have reliable confirmation.
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