Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi told WBRZ that six explosions were detected at the facility around 9:30 p.m.
Witnesses living nearby caught video of massive flames and said the shockwave was felt from miles away, including in parts of Baton Rouge.
It is a human carcinogen with years of exposure, according to parish officials and state permit records, cited by Louisiana’s The Advocate newspaper.
Parish officials issued a shelter-in-place order for a half-mile radius surrounding the plant, though there is nothing from officials indicating that there was any imminent danger.
According to police, at least six explosions were reported and the shockwave spanned miles in the distance, according to witnesses.
pll/lam/dfm