Explosion at Louisiana Plant Triggers 1-Mile Mandatory Evacuation
An explosion at a Louisiana lubricant plant prompted a 1-mile mandatory evacuation. ABC News reports no injuries, but the fire is active and the cause is unknown. An elementary school was evacuated and a major highway closed as authorities manage the scene.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – A powerful explosion at a lubricant manufacturing plant in Roseland, Louisiana, on Friday prompted authorities to issue a mandatory evacuation for a one-mile radius around the facility as a large plume of smoke billowed into the sky, according to reports from ABC News.
The incident occurred at Smitty's Supply in Tangipahoa Parish, with the explosion reported shortly before 1 p.m. local time on Aug. 22, 2025. Local officials, as cited by ABC News, confirmed the location and timing of the event. In response, the Tangipahoa Parish government swiftly ordered a mandatory evacuation, which was initially for the immediate vicinity before being expanded to cover the wider one-mile zone. The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office issued an urgent directive on the social media platform X, warning residents to "Relocate IMMEDIATELY and stay away from this area until further notice."
A massive explosion occurred at an oil supply company in Roseland, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, US 🇺🇸 (22.08.2025) pic.twitter.com/5xahms83OF
— FA EXTREME WEATHER NEWS (@FAexweather) August 23, 2025
Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller, speaking at a press briefing late Friday afternoon, provided an update on the situation. In what he called "a godsend," Miller confirmed that no injuries have been reported from the explosion or the ensuing fire. He stated that the fire remains active and that the cause of the blast is not yet known. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has been dispatched to the scene and is actively monitoring the environment for potential hazards, ABC News reported.
The emergency response has impacted local infrastructure and community facilities. According to the ABC report, an elementary school located within the designated evacuation zone was evacuating its students to a secure location in Amite City. The incident also forced the closure of Highway 51 at Highway 10 in Roseland to manage the emergency and prevent public access to the hazardous area.
Smitty's Supply is a manufacturer and distributor of lubricants, including motor oils, and employs approximately 400 people at the plant, Miller stated. The state's highest office is also engaged with the developing situation. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry released a statement on X, saying, "We are monitoring this situation closely. Please follow the guidance of your local officials." The governor added, "We are praying for everyone’s safety."
