A chemical plant at the origin of a late-night blaze that prompted a shelter-in-place order for large parts of Iberville Parish in the past has alerted state agencies for failing safety inspections.

According to reports, a compressor at the Olin facility exploded, causing low levels of the chemical to leak from the plant. The Department of Environmental Quality claims that chlorine is no longer present in the region.

Plaquemine Chemical Plant Chlorine Leak Past Leaks

First Leak Occurred in 2017

Plaquemine, Louisiana – On Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at approximately 8:30 a.m., the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a chlorine leak at the Plaquemine Chemical Plant located at 12201 Highway 75 in Plaquemine, Louisiana.

When deputies arrived on scene, they observed a small chlorine leak coming from a storage tank. The leak was quickly contained and no injuries or evacuations were necessary.

Second Leak Occurred in 2019

On Monday, February 25, 2019, at approximately 10:30 a.m., the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a chlorine leak at the Plaquemine Chemical Plant.

When deputies arrived on scene, they observed a large chlorine leak coming from a storage tank. The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office, along with the Plaquemine Fire Department, EMS, and Hazmat, responded immediately and evacuated all employees from the building.

At this time, there are no reports of injuries and the cause of the leak is unknown. The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating this incident.

Plaquemine Chemical Plant is a chemical manufacturing facility that produces chlorine, caustic soda, and hydrochloric acid.

Chlorine is a highly reactive gas that can be deadly if inhaled in high concentrations. Symptoms of chlorine exposure include watery eyes, runny nose, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, and nausea.

If you have any information about this incident, please contact the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office at (225) 687-2222.

If you are suffering from injuries due to this leak as a resident or a worker at the plant, please contact Stephen Babcock at (225) 240-4053  or fill out the form for a free consultation on your injuries.