GEISMER: A hug fire broke out after a powerful explosion shook a chemical plant in Geismer, Louisiana about 20 miles southeast of Baton Rouge on Wednesday, fatality numbers are unconfirmed, bit it is likely they are “very high” according to authorities.
The Iberville Office of Emergency Preparedness says seven injuries were reported to them, according to local TV news WAFB.
Emergency crews are on the scene, while a hazardous materials team has also been dispatched to the fire.
“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,” witness Ryan Meador told local station 90 WAFB. “Everyone evacuated to the road. Everyone is trained for something like this.”
Williams Olefins, who owned the plant, are involved in the production of plastics with clients in the petrochemicals industry. The facility annually produces approximately 1.3 billion pounds of ethylene and 90 million pounds of polymer grade propylene.
