25 August 2023 , 17:24
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Residents living within two miles of a refinery have been evacuated after a massive fire broke out sending a pillar of black smoke high into the sky.
The fire erupted at a refinery storage tank in Garyville, Louisiana, with authorities warning of possible chemical release of naptha, a toxic gas. Footage showing a plume of smoke looming over the area and emergency services are at the scene battling the blaze.
Marathon Petroleum Corp, the company that runs the site has said the fire is contained to their properties and so far there have been no reported injuries. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, naphtha is a refined or partially refined petroleum. According to a safety sheet on Marathon Petroleum's website it is highly flammable and harmful if inhaled.
Firefighters are at the scene (WWL-TV/Twitter)A statement from Marathon Petroleum reads: "Marathon Petroleum personnel and local emergency responders are currently responding to a naphtha release and fire at a storage tank at the company’s Garyville, Louisiana, refinery.
"The release and fire are contained within the refinery’s property and there have been no injuries. As a precaution, air monitoring has been deployed in the community. No off-site impacts have been detected. All regulatory notifications have been made."
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The pillar of smoke stretching into the sky (WWL-TV/Twitter)Local reporter Paul Murphy reported for WWLTV saying: "It looks firefighters are making some progress putting out a large fire at Marathon in Garyville. The fire at the refinery is now about half the size as it was when we first got out here around nine this morning. They are spraying water and foam on the flames."
Naphtha can cause skin irritation, tiredness and dizziness if inhaled. Anyone experiencing symptoms should contact their doctor. Air monitoring has been deployed as a precaution, the company has said.
A view of the blaze (WWL-TV/Twitter)Marathon Petroleum Corp. said: "As always, our main priority is to ensure the safety of our employees and contractors, our neighbors within our surrounding community, first responders, and to limit environmental impact. An investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the release."