Chemical leak, fire at Garyville's Marathon Petroleum prompts shelter in place, evacuation orders

St. John the Baptist Parish emergency officials are investigating the cause of a naphtha release and fire at a Garyville refinery on Friday, Aug. 25.

GARYVILLE, La. (WGNO) — St. John the Baptist Parish emergency officials are investigating the cause of a chemical release and fire at a Garyville refinery on Friday, Aug. 25.

Parish President Jaclyn Hotard reported at 6:53 a.m., that parish officials were called to respond to the incident at Marathon Petroleum on 4663 W Airline Highway. Officials on the scene said the fire was located near a storage tank at the facility.

Both the leak and fire were reportedly contained within the refinery's property, according to company officials.

"This was contained in one tank that is leaking. The product in the tank is a naphtha product which is a partially refined product used as a component to make gasoline," said Justin Lawrence Human Resources Manager at Marathon Petroleum.

In a news conference, Deputy Chief of Operation Travis Perrilloux reported that about 50 personnel from the New Orleans region, other refineries, and adjacent parish, assisted with fire suppression efforts.

Out of an abundance of caution, air monitoring has been deployed. Residents within a two-mile radius of the plant are mandated to evacuate the area.

Two shelters have been set up for evacuees, located at:

• East St. John Prep Academy — 400 Ory Dr, Laplace, La.
• East St. John High School Gymnasium — 1 Wildcat Drive, Laplace, La.
• West St. John High School — 480 LA 3127, Edgard, LA

St. John Public Schools Interim Superintendent Kendria Spears reported a shelter-in-place order was issued for schools in the area:

• East St. John Preparatory Academy
• Fifth Ward Elementary School
• East St. John High School Wildcats

The following schools have been evacuated:

• Garyville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School has been evacuated to Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School.
• Riverside Academy has been evacuated to East St. John High School.

An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the leak and fire. No injuries have been reported from the incident.

"I think residents should take any precautions that they feel necessary for their personal situations. We have been assured that in that two-mile radius, the concern is for the smoke plume that is moving as a result of this fire. We have been assured that the radius is a safe area," said Hotard.

Louisiana State Police says as of now, LA 44 is the only road closure reported.

Watch full press conference

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