Section of Louisiana river reopens after plant fire, spill

The lower section of the Tangipahoa River was reopened to the public Friday, more than two months after a catastrophic explosion spilled millions of gallons of oil and other petroleum products into the waterway and ponds miles to the north, state regulators said.

The reopened section stretches from the river's mouth at Lake Pontchartrain upstream to Lee's Landing, a private marina and public launch south of Ponchatoula that has been one of a hub of cleanup efforts for weeks.

Miles more of the river remain closed from Lee's Landing north to the Roseland area, where the explosion and fire occurred Aug. 22 at the Smitty's Supply Inc. plant.

The fire destroyed Smitty’s northern Tangipahoa Parish lubricants and bottling plant, unleashing chemicals and oils from its destroyed storage tanks