WESTLAKE, La. — Louisiana State Police Emergency Services Unit (ESU) technicians were working a hazardous material incident involving a chlorine leak originating from the BioLab chemical manufacturing facility in Westlake Thursday. This comes after hurricane Laura slammed the region overnight.
Fire and smoke from the leak could be seen for miles.
You can see the chemical fire from the corner of Sale and Prien Lake
Shelter in place for Westlake, Sulphur and Moss Bluff pic.twitter.com/7esi0d4wAR
— Brady Renard KPLC (@RenardSports) August 27, 2020
GOING BACK HOME IS NOT SAFE RIGHT NOW
Massive chemical leak in Lake Charles/Westlake area flowing over I-10 extremely dangerous situation! pic.twitter.com/s3650KhNj0
— pretty bih who cares (@brerobinsonnn) August 27, 2020
I-10 in southwest Louisiana has remained closed overnight due to the effects of 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.
BREAKING: ????????
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
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) August 27, 2020
LSP ESU personnel are coordinating with plant managers to contain the leak.
#BREAKING
We have received new information about the chemical fire in Lake Charles. There was a chlorine leak originating from the BioLab chemical manufacturing facility in Westlake, Louisiana this morning after Hurricane Laura made landfall. >> https://t.co/opk4zuGV2Q pic.twitter.com/R1APsS2Kbc— wdsu (@wdsu) August 27, 2020
“Residents are advised to shelter in place until further notice and close your doors and windows,” Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said in a tweet. “Follow the directions of local officials.”
???? 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
Pool and cleaning chemicals are made at the plant.
