The Marathon Petroleum refinery in Garyville, Louisiana experienced a naphtha release and fire that led to an evacuation order for residents within one-mile of the facility.
According to the company’s spokesperson, the incident was self-contained on their property and no injuries were reported.
Air monitoring has been deployed as a precautionary measure while an investigation into what caused the release and fire is underway.
JUST IN – Large fire burning at Marathon Oil Refinery in Garryville, Louisiana
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) August 25, 2023
Naphtha is a term used to describe a class of hydrocarbon mixtures extracted from distilling petroleum.
The New Jersey Department of Health notes that if it is inhaled or passed through skin contact it can cause headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
This makes it important for those living near chemical plants with potential naphtha releases to take caution when necessary.
Eye witnesses on scene have reported seeing large amounts of smoke bellowing out from the refinery which quickly darkened in color over time.
While this can be incredibly concerning for locals who rely on these facilities for resources or employment, authorities are working hard to investigate what caused this issue so they can address it properly and help ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.
This is a developing story with new details still coming in.
