Explosion rocks Louisiana chemical plant

Explosion rocks Louisiana chemical plant

At least four people taken to a hospital

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Courtesy KATC
Explosions rock a chemical plant in a New Iberia, La. industrial park

msnbc.com news services
updated 2 hours 19 minutes ago 2011-06-14T22:50:27


Breaking news

Explosions rocked a chemical plant in a southern Louisiana industrial park, sending at least four people to the hospital and forcing evacuations within a mile of the factory.

Iberia Parish sheriff's deputies on Tuesday closed Louisiana Highway 182 on the western side of the town about 75 miles west of New Orleans.

An official at Iberia Medical Center said four injured workers are being flown to a burn unit. It was unclear whether there were more injuries. Iberia Parish coroner Dr. Carl Ditch told NBC News that there were no reports of fatalities at this time from the explosion. Capt. Ryan Turner told NBC News that the hospital transports were a precautionary measure.

The Daily Iberian newspaper reported the first explosion occurred about 4 p.m. and blasts could still be heard 20 minutes later. A witness told the newspaper that the blast sounded like thunder when it happened, shortly before 4 p.m. CT. Explosions, with fire rising above the treeline, could still be heard at 4:20 p.m., he said.

A spokesman for Multi-Chem Group in Houston said the company was gathering information on what happened at its plant. The company, based in San Angelo, Texas, makes oilfield production chemicals.

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