Westlake Chemical Plant blast: Here's all about victims of horrific Louisiana explosion
SULPHUR, LOUISIANA: A horrific blast at the Westlake Chemical plant left five people injured, according to multiple reports. The explosion happened after 11 pm at the establishment based in the city of Sulphur shortly after 11 pm on September 27. The plant's spokesperson Joe Andrepont said the incident occurred during maintenance at the company's Petro Complex 2 Unit on La. 108, which processes ethylene.
We have reported on similar mishaps in the past for instance the Springfield oxygen tank explosion from June this year. Springfield Fire Commissioner BJ Calvi had confirmed that the man handling the tank was fatally injured after it sparked and exploded. Weeks before this blast, a 4-alarm fire broke out at the Rockton Chemical plant. Similarly, an explosion at the Monacillo power plant the same month resulted in over 1 million customers being affected by outages.
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Who are the victims of the Westlake Chemical explosion in Louisiana?
According to the company's website, "Westlake Chemical was founded in 1986 by T. T. Chao, a pioneer in the global petrochemical industry, with the acquisition of a polyethylene plant in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Building on three decades of prior experience in Asia, the company embarked on a mission of consistent growth through further acquisition, expansion of existing facilities, and new construction." The company operates worldwide with over 9,200 employees and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. The company produces ethylene, polyethylene, styrene, and co-products.
Earlier this year, the plant's Petro 1 Unit caught fire and the fire brigade was able to extinguish 90 percent of it. Everyone in the unit was accounted for and no injuries were reported at the time, according to Andrepont. This time around five people, as opposed to six as per early reports are injured and all the victims are contract employees. All of them were rushed to local hospitals, according to KPLC. There are no reports of any deaths linked to this incident and Andrepont said all employees are accounted for. The names of the victims are withheld for now. This is a developing story and we will update the article with the latest information whenever they're made available.
Shawn Carter was present onsite during the blast and he documented the happenings on social media. The local's video was posted just before midnight on the Sulphur-Carlyss Information Center's Facebook page and showed what appeared to be thick smoke rising from the building. Terrified family members of people working at the plant took to the comment section to express their gratitude after confirming the safety of their loved ones.
"Praying my son in that plant Thank you, Jesus, he ok he literally was just by that unit before it happened. Praying hard for ones at the plant. Lord we come to you in name of Jesus to cover and shield these workers bring them all to safety we ask you for your protection-around them Lord in Jesus name we pray Amen," a comment read. "Praying for all involved! And for all those that go into these places day to day, just never can be too safe. Thank y'all, including my husband, for what y'all do. We're in Carlyss and that jolted me, up outta the bed. Lord, cover them," another comment read. "Most of my guests were at work there when it happened. Please pray for the injured men," wrote another concerned user.