Explosion at Chalmette Refinery Triggers Emergency Response

Emergency Response to Refinery Explosion

A significant explosion and subsequent fire occurred on Friday afternoon at the PBF Energy Refinery located in Chalmette, leading to an urgent response from local emergency services and law enforcement. St. Bernard Parish Homeland Security Deputy Director John Rahaim Jr. reported that the first alert was received at approximately 12:53 PM. Firefighters and sheriff's deputies were promptly dispatched to the site.

In response to the incident, authorities temporarily closed the eastbound lanes of West St. Bernard Highway between Jackson Boulevard and Palmisano Boulevard while crews managed the situation, as confirmed by the St. Bernard Sheriff's Office. The investigation into the cause of the explosion is currently ongoing.