Air Liquide Plant To Resume Normal Operations

PORT ALLEN, La. (AP) — The Air Liquide Specialty Chemicals plant in Port Allen is expected to reopen and resume normal operation Wednesday.

The plant has been shut down since May 21 so that officials could investigate the cause of an explosion and chemical fire.

The fire forced nearly 200 residents living near the plant to evacuate their homes and caused officials to temporarily shut down a 14-mile stretch of U.S. 190.

Company spokesman Mike Rosen tells The Advocate on Tuesday the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Officials said only one person was injured in the incident. The Air Liquide employee was treated for minor burns and later released on the afternoon of the fire.