WWL First News is getting reports of an explosion at the Marathon Oil plant in Reserve, Louisiana. Witnesses say it was loud and could be felt inside the truck stop across the street.
“It was a big explosion, shook the hell out of the truck stop building I was in at the time. And you could see the fire, and a lot of emergency stuff heading that way," One witness told WWL First News.
“Oh man you couldn’t miss that thing, I ran out to look, and you could see the fire but not a whole lot of smoke. I said ok, it is time for me to go,” said the witness.
We are awaiting further details, but do know that traffic is blocked on Airline Highway at the Marathon plant in Reserve as crews respond to this reported explosion. Firefighters are on the scene battling the blaze. It is unclear at this time how the explosion happened.
Officials say six people suffered minor injures but no fatalities.
“All employees and contract workers have been accounted for. One contract worker sustained an injury and is currently being evaluated at a local healthcare facility as a precaution. Air monitoring has been deployed in the community, and local emergency responders have been notified. The safety of responders, employees, contractors, and the community is our top priority as we work to extinguish the fire,” said Sheriff Tregre.