By Dennis Romero — NBC News
Local authorities issued evacuation and shelter-in orders for residents and businesses near an oil tank complex in southwest Louisiana after an explosion hit the facility Saturday, producing a huge plume of flames and smoke.
It's unclear what sparked the fire at the Calcasieu Refining Co. plant south of Lake Charles. No injuries have been reported so far. The refinery did not respond to phone calls seeking comment.
Mandatory evacuations are in effect for those who are up to 1.5 miles away from the tank yard. The shelter-in-place order was reduced from 5 miles to 3 miles, according to the Lake Charles Fire Department.
A plume of smoke rises after the explosion at Calcasieu Refining Co.'s oil tank plant near Lake Charles, Louisiana. KPLC
In a statement, the department described the incident as a "fire in an oil tank."
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The Port Police are investigating the cause of the explosion. Port Director Ricky Self told NBC affiliate station KPLC of Lake Charles that there was another fire on the grounds Thursday, which may have started in an area where motor oil for the company's vehicles was stored.
It was unclear if the two fires are related in any way.
*This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
