Update As of 6:00 a.m., The mandatory evacuation order has been lifted, and residents can return to their homes.
Original Post
South Lake Charles – One of the storage tanks located at the Calcasieu Refining Facility sustained a lightning strike shortly before 2:00 p.m. afternoon. The lighting strike ignited the product inside (Naphtha) of it and it became engulfed in flames.
Several fire crews from the surrounding area arrived on the scene, along with several law enforcement agencies.
A mandatory evacuation order was issued for the surrounding area within a mile and a half of the incident. This included the Graywood Subdivision. Several roads were also closed to the public to keep the public away from the area. (Haymark Road, W. Tank Farm Road, and Graywood Pkwy).
The tank is still currently burning as of 10:00 p.m., and crews are still working to extinguish the fire.
