3 dead, 1 missing as explosion rocks Louisiana box factory
Three people have died and number of others left injured after an explosion rocked a packaging plant in Louisiana.
The incident happened on Wednesday morning at the Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) in the city of DeRidder, Louisiana, KPLC 7 News reports.
The company manufactures heavy duty corrugated containers and other lightweight cardboard boxes.
According to the PCA website, its plant in DeRidder, Beauregard, is a containerboard mill that creates “semi-chemical” corrugated packages.
On the scene of deadly explosion at PCA Packaging Corporation of America on Highway 190 West, DeRidder. pic.twitter.com/rvjmHM159X
— Theresa Schmidt Kplc (@KplcTschmidt) February 8, 2017
A tank containing chemicals is thought to have erupted at the site.
“At 11:10am this morning our office was notified of an explosion at PCA,” Chief Deputy Joe Toler, of the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office, told RT.
“Emergency personnel responded and learned that three workers had been killed and several injured.”
He added: “Responders are still at the scene assisting state police with the investigation. The scene has been contained.”
It’s unclear at this moment what was inside the tank or how it exploded.
One person is reported to be missing after the incident.
Local reports suggest some of the injured have been flown 150 miles to a Baton Rouge hospital.
Emergency responders are on the scene at PCA in #DeRidder where authorities are reporting an explosion just occurred pic.twitter.com/J6n0BeqaHU
— Pamela Sleezer (@PamelaAmPress) February 8, 2017
3 confirmed dead, several others injured from a plant explosion in DeRidder. Some patients flown out to Rapides, Baton Rouge. pic.twitter.com/rvgGYQb7OK
— ericabivens (@ericabivens) February 8, 2017
