WBRZ - Baton Rouge

5:32pm

News 2 has learned that at least two people were hurt Saturday afternoon, after a barge explosion along the Mississippi river in St. Gabriel.

According to officials with the U.S. Coast Guard, the barge was empty at the time, but residual benzene fumes within the barge caught fire and exploded.

The damaged barge is still docked, and air monitoring is underway to make sure there is no further risk.

No evacuations have been ordered.

Benzene is a highly flammable, liquid chemical used in products like paint thinners.