A massive chlorine leak and fire at a chemical plant in Westlake sent up huge plumes of smoke drifting over Interstate-10.
Interstate 10 was already closed from the Texas state line to the Atchafalaya Basin in south central Louisiana.
The blaze is burning at the BioLab chemical refinery plant off I-10 in Westlake.
BioLab makes cleaning products and disinfectants.
RELATED: See Photos: Hurricane Laura Hammered Lake Charles, Louisiana
BioLab is part of a hive of chemical and oil refineries in the immediate area.
The incident has closed the expressway in Sulphur and triggered a shelter in place order by authorities.
The plant is seen in photographs as being some distance behind the Isle of Capri Casino on the water front in Lake Charles.
--There is a chemical fire in the Westlake/Moss Bluff/Sulphur area. Residents are advised to shelter in place until further notice and close your doors and windows. Follow the directions of local officials.--
— John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) August 27, 2020Large fire near oil refineries - Lake Charles @hurricanetrack pic.twitter.com/yk6QkpUjqf
— GregNordstrom (@GregNordstrom) August 27, 2020BREAKING: Large Chemical leak from a plant in Lake Charles flowing over I-10, extremely dangerous situation. #hurricanelaura pic.twitter.com/61GA37NR1v
— Brad Sowder (@TheBradSowder) August 27, 2020Big fire on the west end of #LakeCharles after #laura’s arrival. Also — Look at the damage at the bottom of the photo pic.twitter.com/O39fxItT3E
— Jordan Steele (@JordanSteele) August 27, 2020
