A large explosion and fire tore through the Chalmette refinery Friday afternoon, sending a thick plume of smoke across St. Bernard Parish and drawing a heavy emergency response as first responders rushed in and traffic ground to a halt nearby.
According to WWL‑TV, the initial call came in at about 12:53 p.m. St. Bernard Parish Deputy Director of Homeland Security John Rahaim Jr. said fire and sheriff's office personnel reached the scene by roughly 1:10 p.m. The cause of the explosion was unknown as of publication, the station reported.
About the Plant
The facility is operated by Chalmette Refining LLC, a unit of PBF Energy. According to PBF Energy, the Chalmette refinery is a dual-train coking facility with roughly 185,000 barrels-per-day capacity that processes both light and heavy crude.
Road Closures and Response
The St. Bernard Sheriff's Office warned drivers to steer clear of the area as the situation unfolded. Eastbound lanes of West St. Bernard Highway were shut down from Jackson Boulevard to Palmisano Boulevard, WWL‑TV reported. Fire and law-enforcement units remained on scene while crews worked to control the blaze and secure the perimeter.
What to Watch
Authorities have not released information about injuries or given a timeline for reopening the highway. Investigators are expected to examine the affected unit once it is safe to enter. Residents are urged to monitor updates from the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office and local emergency channels for official information.
