Explosion & Fire at Evergreen Energy Plant

 CENTRAL – A natural gas explosion that shook homes near an East Baton Rouge energy plant this morning caused a lot of damage at the site but no injuries, according to authorities.
Central and Baton Rouge fire departments were called to the Evergreen Energy Plant on N. Rome Drive around 6:30 a.m.  Central Fire Chief Bill Porche said a large container used to separate crude oil and other chemicals like natural gas had exploded and caused around $500,000 in damage.
The fire and damage was contained to the construction site.  Porche said the fire caused too much damage to give a preliminary idea of what may have caused the explosion, but the Louisiana State Police were still investigating.
A Baton Rouge hazardous materials team and the Department of Environmental Quality are continuing to clean up the site this morning, and monitor the air and ground for any signs of possible chemical spills from the explosion.

Press release courtesy of Ch. 2 WBRZ.  Photos compliments of Shauna Bradford and David Barrow.