6:00 p.m. ET: One person was killed and 73 hospitalized after the explosion, reports Fox News (http://fxn.ws/11BVGVU).
In total, 300 people were evacuated from the plant and all workers have been located.
The plant makes ethylene and propylene — highly flammable gases that are basic building blocks in the petrochemical industry.
1:40 p.m. ET: CBS News reports (http://cbsn.ws/17K5ncc) that dozens of people have been injured in the explosion.
Three or four injured people were taken by helicopter from the site, while about 30 were taken via ambulance.
Initial tests did not indicate dangerous levels of chemicals around the plant, but the flow of chemicals to the fire had been reportedly cut off.
ORIGINAL STORY: Authorities were sheltering residents in place after a chemical plant exploded and caused a fire in Geismar, Louisiana.
WAFB (http://bit.ly/150l48Q) reported that hazardous materials teams and other responders were on scene at the Williams Olefin plant. There were reports of injuries, but no specifics were immediately available.
According to the company’s Web site, it provides products to customers in the petrochemical industry.
Stay tuned for additional details.
