UPDATE: Shelter in place lifted, interstate reopening

Published 11:28 am Tuesday, July 2, 2024

The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness said the shelter in place has been lifted and Interstate 10 is reopening after a warehouse fire at the BioLab facility in Westlake.

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality said the fire at BioLab is 75 percent under control, and it is actively working to ensure full containment.

The agency said plant monitors have reported non-detect chlorine readings, indicating that chlorine levels are within safe limits.

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“Louisiana State Police is actively monitoring the air quality at Westlake Chemical,” the agency said. “Additionally, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is en route to conduct air monitoring along Interstate 210.”

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has temporarily shut down mile markers 33-36 of the ship channel as a precautionary measure until further updates are available.