PLAQUEMINE, La. -- DOW was evacuated shortly after 3 p.m. due to a chlorine leak at the plant according to our partners at WBRZ.
Sources told WBRZ that there was a chlorine leak at the facility and workers were being evacuated.
Louisiana State Fire Marshal Butch Browning said that the fire department and the Iberville Sheriff's Office are at the scene working to keep the leak on site and contained. Browning said that fire marshal deputies and Louisiana State Police HAZMAT troopers are en route are also assisting on the scene.
Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi said that the leak was caused due to a "total loss of power" to the facility, causing systems in the facility to shut down. Stassi also said that the heavy black smoke that is seen coming from the facility is not the chlorine, rather it is hydrocarbon being burned.
Stassi urged residents north of the Plaquemine bridge to shelter in place indoors and stay off the roads until further notice. He also said to turn off their air conditioners and heaters.
LA 1 was closed in both directions and only emergency vehicles were allowed to go beyond the highway closure.
