'Bam, Bam, Bam': Residents describe fire, fumes and blasts after Roseland plant incident

ROSELAND, Louisiana — Residents near Roseland described chaotic moments Friday afternoon as an , sending plumes of smoke into the sky and prompting a one-mile evacuation zone.

One woman, about two miles from the site in the Shady Grove Loop neighborhood, told WWL’s Meg Farris that she rushed from work after her 82-year-old mother called, worried about the heavy fumes. She said friends in nearby Independence also reported hearing the blasts.

Residents describe hearing and smelling the blast — some from Independence. A 1-mile evacuation zone is in place, Hwy 51 shut down, students moved to Amite.

“It’s such a horrible time for the city of Roseland. I’m asking everyone for your prayers,” she said.

She added that from as far as Amite, the thick smoke was visible, and that many senior citiz