WESTLAKE, La. – Six people suffered minor injuries Wednesday in an explosion and fire reported at a chemical plant in Louisiana, according to multiple reports.
The incident happened just before 11 a.m. at an empty ethylene dichloride storage tank at Westlake Chemical South, Westlake Chemical’s community and governmental relations principal Joe Andrepont told the American Press. Officials told the newspaper the fire was quickly extinguished.
Andrepont told KPLC-TV that one person was treated onsite after being injured Wednesday and five others were treated at hospitals. The cause of the explosion was not immediately known.
Images posted on social media showed a cloud of smoke rising from the chemical plant shortly after Wednesday’s explosion. The smoke has since cleared, according to KFDM.
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Ethylene dichloride is most often used in the production of vinyl chloride, a gas used to make PVC pipes and other products, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Exposure to ethylene dichloride vapors can cause several issues, including nausea and vomiting.
Area schools and businesses were ordered to shelter in place immediately after Wednesday’s explosion, although Andrepont told the American Press that the order was later lifted after officials determined there were no environmental issues associated with the incident.
