Evacuations are underway in Garyville, Louisiana Friday (August 25) after a Marathon Petroleum refinery in the town reported a chemical leak and a fire.
The company's crews and emergency services are responding to a release of naphtha, a flammable liquid that can be used as fuel, and a fire at a storage tank at its refinery about 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of New Orleans.
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ESJ Prep Academy, Fifth Ward Elementary and ESJ High School have been placed under a shelter in place order due to a fire at Marathon Petroleum.
— St. John the Baptist Parish Schools (@SJBPS118) August 25, 2023
Riverside Academy has been evacuated to East St. John High School.
GMMS has been evacuated to Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School.
"The release and fire are contained within the refinery's property and there have been no injuries," Marathon said in a statement, with a company official telling reporters they are doing everything they can to put the fire out and contain the leak.
The Louisiana State Police added evacuations are underway in a two-mile (three-kilometer) radius as a precaution.
Meanwhile, some area schools have been evacuated to other schools, while others are under shelter-in-place orders.
This is a developing story. Please follow HNGN for more updates.
