BY EMMA MAYER ON 1/26/22
An explosion shook Westlake, Louisiana on Wednesday morning and sent a mushroom-shaped cloud of smoke into the sky, eyewitnesses say.
According to BNO News, the explosion happened around 10:45 a.m. at Westlake Chemical South, a chemical manufacturing plant. It is reported that multiple emergency services were responding to the scene.
Schools in the area were put on a precautionary shelter in place, and the Calcasieu Parish School Board said in a statement, "All students, faculty, and staff are safe."
The explosion occurred when a tank of Ethylene Dichloride exploded.
A spokesman from the plant told KPLC-TV that at least 6 people were injured, five of which were taken to hospitals in the area and one treated on-site.
The shelter in place at the schools has now been lifted, and the spokesman said that no vapors are lingering in the air.
Large explosion at Westlake chemical plant in Louisiana
Published January 26, 2022
By BNO News
Credit: KPLC-TV
A large explosion and fire have been reported at Westlake Chemical South near Lake Charles in Louisiana, injuring at least three people, local officials and witnesses say. There is no threat to the surrounding community.
The incident happened at about 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday when a tank of Ethylene Dichloride exploded at Westlake Chemical South, which is a chemical manufacturer on PPG Drive in Westlake, about 4 miles west of Lake Charles.
Large plumes of black smoke were seen billowing from the site, prompting a precautionary lockdown at all Sulphur and Westlake schools. “All students, faculty, and staff are safe,” the Calcasieu Parish School Board said in a statement.
A spokesman for the company said there are no vapors in the air and there’s no need to shelter in place. Three people suffered minor injuries, the spokesman said, according to KPLC-TV.
Other details about Wednesday’s explosion were not immediately known
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