BREAKING: Evacuation Underway After Plant Explosion Leads To Chemical Rain

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A massive explosion ripped through the Smitty’s Supply facility in Tangipahoa Parish on Friday afternoon, forcing evacuations and unleashing oily rain over nearby neighborhoods as emergency crews battled a chemical fire.

The blast occurred around 12:50 p.m. at the Smitty’s Supply plant just north of Roseland, Louisiana. Witnesses reported hearing a thunderous boom followed by flames and thick black smoke billowing into the sky. The smoke column was visible for miles, while a dark, slick residue began coating homes and vehicles.

Residents described a surreal scene as the fallout began. “That’s not rain … it smells like oil,” one local woman said after turning on her windshield wipers and realizing the droplets were not water. Others noted black soot accumulating on porches, lawns, and cars, raising alarms about potential health risks.

“All of a sudden I heard this big boom and at first I thought it was thunder,” Marty Broussard told WDSU. “Then I went boom, boom, boom, and that was when it let loose right there,” Broussard added.

“It’s all gone, it’s here, but yet it’s gone,” said Scarlet Broussard. The explosion combined with rainfall, causing what looked like oil to fall from the sky—turning the Broussards’ backyard pool pitch black.

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“I come out here and I see my pool, which I love; this is my paradise,” said Scarlet. “It’s going to cost a lot to get this cleaned up, and I don’t even know, I mean, I’ve got a garden, I don’t even know if I can clean that up with all the chemicals they use you know,” she said.

Officials immediately ordered a mandatory evacuation for all residents within a one-mile radius of the plant. Roseland Elementary School was among those evacuated, with students and staff relocated to safety. Shelters were established nearby, and by Saturday, at least 42 people were confirmed to be housed there.

To keep the area clear for response operations, federal authorities issued a Temporary Flight Restriction, creating a three-nautical-mile no-fly zone up to 5,000 feet.

By Saturday evening, fire crews had the blaze about 90 percent contained, though occasional flare-ups and smaller explosions continued. Teams from multiple agencies worked through the night to suppress hotspots and prevent the fire from spreading.

Environmental containment efforts were extensive. Crews deployed roughly 1,900 feet of floating boom along the Tangipahoa River and nearby waterways. Using specialized equipment such as airboats and “frack trucks,” responders recovered more than 900 barrels of contaminated fluid. Smaller streams were also being monitored for signs of chemical runoff.

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, state police, and the EPA assured the public that air and water readings remained “non-detectable” or “well below health-based” standards. Despite those assurances, residents told a different story, reporting respiratory irritation and worsening asthma symptoms. Local reports also mentioned pets showing signs of distress, including a dog that began wheezing shortly after the explosion.

Smitty’s Supply is a major distributor of automotive fluids, including motor oil, brake fluid, and antifreeze. The Roseland facility houses millions of gallons in bulk storage tanks and employs roughly 400 workers. It is also serviced by multiple rail lines, increasing the complexity of emergency response.

OSHA records show two serious incidents in recent years—a 2020 accident in which a worker was struck and killed by a semi-truck, and a 2021 incident where an employee suffered severe burns. Combined penalties for the two cases exceeded $29,000.

Employees managed to escape unharmed Friday, though one longtime worker recalled how flames quickly engulfed the mixing area containing brake fluid. He and others rushed colleagues out before alerting authorities.

Roseland Elementary will remain closed while crews clean and test the campus for contamination. Officials have scheduled a community meeting to outline cleanup efforts and next steps. Wildlife and resident claims hotlines are being set up to handle potential damage reports.



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