Tagged News

• Two dead, 30 hospitalized in chemical leak at Texas plant

  July 28, 2021 11:08 AM

  LAPORTE, Texas - Two people were killed and 30 injured when a plant located approximately 30 miles from Houston, Texas experienced a chemical leak involving the release of approximately 100,000 pounds of acetic acid, according to ABC 13 KTRK . The two people killed were contract workers with the... more »

• ExxonMobil Baton Rouge explains flaring at plant, says it should be minimized by noon

  July 7, 2021 9:32 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Some Baton Rouge residents were startled early Wednesday morning when they noticed flaring at a local chemical plant. According to ExxonMobil Baton Rouge, the plant began experiencing flaring due to a unit startup Tuesday. Plant representatives say the flares should be minimized by noon Wednesday.... more »

• Gas leak shuts down N Sherwood Forest Blvd Tuesday morning

  March 30, 2021 11:28 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A natural gas leak closed part of N Sherwood Forest Boulevard Tuesday morning. The leak was reported around 10:20 a.m. between S Choctaw Drive and Big Bend Avenue. Officials with the Baton Rouge Fire Department said a construction crew severed a gas line. The department... more »

• Alexandria manufacturing plant to expand, bring 38 new jobs to central Louisiana

  December 24, 2019 1:56 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Governor John Bel Edwards and AFCO Industries announced that the company will be expanding its Alexandria facility. The expansion will require a hefty $3.62 million investment, but is expected to create a total of 38 new jobs for Rapides Parish and Central Louisiana. AFCO manufactures... more »

• Flaring, possible rumbles likely as new plant fires up

  May 1, 2019 5:54 PM

  PLAQUEMINE – Shintech will need to light the flare pilot to its new ethylene production plant and warned residents of Iberville Parish that a large flare will be seen from its plant and there may be vibrations and rumblings in the coming days as crews get the new facility online.... more »

• Chemical release Friday follows a small fire Thursday at ExxonMobil facility

  August 24, 2018 1:58 PM

  BATON ROUGE – ExxonMobil has had to respond to two issues in the last two days, WBRZ has learned. Friday, the company reported a hydrogen chloride release at a unit within the chemical facility. A company spokesperson said the release happened at “a unit drum at the ExxonMobil Chemical... more »

• Emergency crews dispatched to River Road plant

  August 7, 2017 3:05 PM

  BURNSIDE – Fire crews were dispatched to a reported fire at the old Ormet facility Monday afternoon. Emergency responders confirmed to WBRZ, there was a report of a blaze at the facility but specifics were not available. Fire crews were still headed to the scene and had not reported... more »

• Emergency response to Geismar chemical plant caused nearby road closures

  July 28, 2017 2:21 PM

  GEISMAR – Authorities closed Highway 75 at 73 in Ascension Parish around lunch due to emergency activity at a nearby plant. Authorities said they were about to release information on specific roadblocks in the area but did not provide immediate information. A spokesperson called the situation an "incident" at... more »

• Baton Rouge chemical plant to experience intermittent flaring

  January 13, 2017 1:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The ExxonMobil Baton Rouge chemical plant will experience intermittent flaring over the weekend. A public affairs manager from ExxonMobil says the flares are a result of scheduled maintenance activities over the next couple days. Flares are primarily safety control devices intended to consume excess hydrocarbons during... more »

• Dow issues update, says facility is secure Play Video

  December 2, 2016 4:22 PM

  PLAQUEMINE - The DOW's facility in Plaquemine is now secure, according to a statement released by DOW Saturday, Dec. 3. The full statement reads: " Dow’s facility in Plaquemine is secure after a power interruption Friday afternoon. Utilities and steam continue to come online at... more »

• Fire reported overnight at chemical plant

  July 2, 2016 9:47 AM

  ADDIS - Emergency responders reported an overnight fire at a plant, but could not provide much information about the incident Saturday. Fire crews and ambulances were sent to a plant on La. 1 near the West Baton Rouge/Iberville Parish line around midnight. An emergency preparedness official reached later Saturday... more »

• Release of chemical vapor prompts overnight shelter in place order

  May 26, 2016 11:26 PM

  GEISMAR - Ascension Parish officials have lifted a shelter in place notification for residents living within a one-mile radius of the Rubicon chemical plant after a leak was reported Thursday night. The shelter in place order was executed for all facilities within a one mile radius of the Rubicon... more »