Fire crews have successfully contained a large fire at a refinery storage tank in Garyville, Louisiana, according to authorities. The incident occurred about 40 miles west of New Orleans. A mandatory evacuation order was put in place on Friday morning within a two-mile radius around the facility, but it was later lifted in the afternoon by St. John the Baptist Parish President Jaclyn Hotard.
In a statement from the parish, it was confirmed that the fire is currently under control and has remained within the common containment-dike area of two tanks on the refinery’s property. However, both tanks have sustained damage. An investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the incident.
Marathon Petroleum Corporation, the owner of the refinery, stated that the fire is contained to the refinery’s property. One firefighter is being evaluated for heat stress. Justin Lawrence, the human resources manager for Marathon, clarified that the tank itself is not on fire. Instead, the fire is around the perimeter of a tank where the naphtha product is pooling. Naphtha is a partially refined product used in the production of gasoline.
Lawrence explained that initially, the flame was relatively calm, and foam was used to keep the fumes and fire contained. However, as the day got hotter, the fire reignited and became more challenging to control.
CNN has reached out to the St. John the Baptist Parish office of emergency management, fire department, and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality for further information on the incident.
Marathon Petroleum Corporation emphasized that their main priority is ensuring the safety of their employees, contractors, and the surrounding community. They also aim to limit any potential environmental impact. An investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the release.
The focus now is on extinguishing the fire as quickly as possible, according to Lawrence. A Friday night update from St. John the Baptist Parish mentioned that while much of the fire has been extinguished, firefighters are still working on suppressing flare-ups. Intermittent smoke may still be seen from the facility. Fire suppression efforts will continue until firefighting professionals are confident that there is no risk of additional fire.
What measures were taken by the authorities to ensure the safety of the surrounding area during the incident at the refinery storage tank in Garyville, Louisiana
That the fire at the refinery storage tank in Garyville, Louisiana has been successfully contained by fire crews. The incident took place approximately 40 miles west of New Orleans. Initially, a mandatory evacuation order was implemented within a two-mile radius of the facility on Friday morning. However, this order was later lifted in the afternoon by the St. John the Baptist Parish President, Jaclyn Hotard.
The statement from the parish confirmed that authorities have effectively dealt with the large fire at the refinery storage tank.
Glad to hear that the situation is under control! Safety protocols at refineries are crucial to protect both workers and the environment.
Great job to the first responders and refinery workers for their quick action in containing the fire and preventing any further damage. Safety is always the top priority in situations like these.