BATON ROUGE, La. – An explosion and fire Friday at an automotive supply company in southeast Louisiana sent flames into the air and a tower of thick black smoke billowed above rural communities, forcing nearby residents and an elementary school to evacuate.

Officials said no injuries have been reported in the fire at Smitty’s Supply just north of the town of Roseland, but that everyone living within a one-mile radius must evacuate. Roseland, which is home to around 1,100 people, is about 50 miles northeast of Baton Rouge.

Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller said it’s “godsend” that no one has been injured.

“We are doing our best to protect people, structures and the environment,” Miller told reporters during a news conference Friday afternoon, as crews reached their third hour of t

See Full Page