An explosion at a business in Roseland, Louisiana on Friday forced authorities to issue a mandatory evacuation for residents in the area, as a towering plume of smoke filled the sky and emergency responders scrambled to contain the scene.
The incident occurred in Tangipahoa Parish, where officials swiftly ordered evacuations within a 1-mile radius of Highways 51 and 10 in Roseland — shutting down nearby roads and schools, according to ABC News.
“Relocate IMMEDIATELY and stay away from this area until further notice,” the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office posted on X.
A local elementary school located inside the evacuation zone began moving students to a safer location in Amite City, officials confirmed.
So far, no injuries have been reported, according to the sheriff’s office, though authorities remain on high alert as the situation develops. As of early Friday afternoon, Highway 51 at Highway 10 in Roseland was closed in both directions following the blast.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry addressed the unfolding crisis in a statement on X: “We are monitoring this situation closely. Please follow the guidance of your local officials. We are praying for everyone’s safety.”
Authorities have not yet released details about the business involved or what caused the explosion, but emergency crews remain on-site as evacuations continue and air quality is assessed.
This is a developing story.
