UPDATE (9;20 p.m.): Crews now have the fire at BioLab smoldering, according to KPLC.
Louisiana State Police Trooper Derek Senegal confirmed that crews are spraying water on the leak to dilute the chemical and keep it from reacting.
A precautionary shelter in place continues within one mile of the plant, and I-10 is still shut down as a precautionary measure.
LDEQ crews are at the site and have begun air monitoring, reports KPLC.
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Louisiana State Police confirm that their Emergency Services Unit (ESU) technicians are working a hazardous material incident involving a chlorine leak originating from the BioLab chemical manufacturing facility in Westlake.
I-10 in southwest Louisiana has remained closed overnight due to the effects of Hurricane Laura and emergency personnel utilizing the interstate system are being diverted off of I-10 around the incident location.
Residents in the area are being advised to shelter in place.
Citizens should not be engaging in unnecessary travel at this time.
LSP ESU personnel are coordinating with plant managers to contain the leak. Citizens should follow emergency orders from local officials and updates will be posted to LSP social media accounts as available.
The company that owns the plant that caught fire in Westlake, KIK Custom Products, has released a statement on the incident:
KIK Custom Products confirmed that, as a result of damage sustained during Hurricane Laura, there is currently a fire at one plant located at the company's Biolab Lake Charles, LA facility. Our priority is the safety and well-being of the Lake Charles community of which we are a part. We are deploying a specialized team to the site, and we are working with first responders, local authorities, and environmental agencies to contain and mitigate the impact of this incident as quickly as possible. The facility had been evacuated when the hurricane was upgraded to category 4 after following shut-down protocols, and all employees are confirmed to be safe at this time. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Officials are saying that a fire has started at chemical plant in Westlake Thursday following Hurricane Laura, according to KPLC.
Louisiana State Police confirm they responding to the scene near Mile Marker 26 and motorists are advised not to travel on I-10 through Westlake.
Traffic on I-10 is being diverted to I-210.
A shelter in place order has been given for Westlake and Sulphur and residents are advised to turn off their air conditioning units.
Residents in Westlake/Moss Bluff/Sulphur area are advised to shelter in place until further notice and close their doors and windows and turn off your air conditioning units.
The Isle of Capri Casino has also reportedly broken free and is now stuck underneath the Calcasieu River Bridge.
KATC's Chris Welty is on the ground in Lake Charles and is reporting a second fire in the area. KATC is working to confirm if they are connected.
🚨 If you are in the Westlake/Moss Bluff/Sulphur area, shelter in place, close your windows and doors and TURN OFF YOUR AIR CONDITIONING UNITS. There is a chemical fire. Stay inside and wait for additional direction from local officials. 🚨
— John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) August 27, 2020
You can read more from KPLC here.
BREAKING: Large Chemical leak from a plant in Lake Charles flowing over I-10, extremely dangerous situation. #hurricanelaura pic.twitter.com/61GA37NR1v
— Brad Sowder (@TheBradSowder) August 27, 2020
— Brandi B. Harris (@BrandiBHarrisTV) August 27, 2020
Large fire near oil refineries - Lake Charles @hurricanetrack pic.twitter.com/yk6QkpUjqf
— GregNordstrom (@GregNordstrom) August 27, 2020
Big fire on the west end of #LakeCharles after #laura’s arrival. Also — Look at the damage at the bottom of the photo pic.twitter.com/O39fxItT3E
— Jordan Steele (@JordanSteele) August 27, 2020
BREAKING: 🔥🔥
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) August 27, 2020
A large fire has broken out just off of Interstate 10 near Lake Charles, LA. There are some reports coming out that this is related to a chemical leak or a biohazard situation.
Stay with @WeatherNation for updates as we monitor the situation. #Laura #LAwx pic.twitter.com/El77PB8PAv
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