Explosion at Williams Olefins plant in Geismar

[MountainLaurel]

Source: Times-Picayune

An explosion occurred at the Williams Olefins plant near Geismar, La. on Thursday morning, Louisiana State Police Trooper Jared Sandifer confirmed.

The explosion was reported just after 8:30 a.m. Sandifer said there are possible injuries.

As of 9:30 a.m., LA 74 and LA 30 at LA 3115 are closed due to the explosion, which state police described as a "haz-mat incident." State police suggest using an alternate route.

Several witnesses also reported the explosion. Plants around the area were reportedly being evacuated.

Read more: http://www.nola.com/traffic/baton-rouge/index.ssf/2013/06/explosion_at_williams_olefins.html

[Berlum]

1. Plastic non fantastic

The Geismar, La. facility annually produces approximately 1.3 billion pounds of ethylene and 90 million pounds of polymer grade propylene. Also in Louisiana, the olefins team is responsible for the ethane transportation business consisting of approximately 200 miles of pipelines, as well as a refinery-grade propylene splitter.

http://co.williams.com/williams/operations/midstream/olefins/

[Eugene]

2. Explosion at Louisiana chemical plant kills 1, injures 33

Source: Reuters

Explosion at Louisiana chemical plant kills 1, injures 33

By Jonathan Bachman
GEISMAR, Louisiana | Thu Jun 13, 2013 2:30pm EDT

(Reuters) - An explosion and fire killed at least one person and injured 33 at the Williams Olefins chemical plant in Geismar, Louisiana, on Thursday, leading authorities to order people within two miles to remain indoors.

The blast created a huge fireball and column of smoke when it hit at 8:37 a.m. (0937 ET) at the plant along the Mississippi River just south of Baton Rouge and about 60 miles up river from New Orleans.

About 600 people were working at the plant at the time, and the fire was still burning more than three hours later, state police said.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/13/us-chemicals-fire-idUSBRE95C0P120130613

Reuters banner: One dead, 73 injured in Louisiana chemical plant blast; all workers accounted for: Governor

[MountainLaurel]

3. I expect that won't be the final tally

Several of the hospitals that took victims are reporting people in critical condition, and fire victims often die later because of infection or organ failure.

[zeeland]

4. This is just tragic...

All those people in the homes nearby need to be evacuated, but where?.. who will pay?
Certainly not the corp. responsible.

[Brother Buzz]

5. Evacuate, or shelter in place?

The crap burning is odious, but not toxic

[zeeland]

6. How do you know?

Are you familiar with the chemicals burning? Seriously, interested in how they could possibly be safe breathing
the air in that environment.

[Brother Buzz]

7. Workers at nearby plants said they were told to shelter in place