Louisiana Chemical Fire Prompts Lawsuit

Residents living near the Air Liquide Specialty Chemical plant have gone to court seeking damages as a result of the plant’s May 21 explosion and chemical fire.

The Advocate reports a lawsuit filed May 23 in state court by a Baton Rouge law firm claims Air Liquide conducted negligent operations leading to the fire that forced residents out of their homes for two days while emergency responders brought the blaze under control and secured the site.

The suit states it is unknown how many people the fire directly affected, but the law firm claims it is representing more than 100 evacuees.

Mike Rosen, a spokesman for Air Liquide, declined Thursday to comment on the lawsuit, saying he wasn’t aware any legal actions had been filed against the company.