Fire At Chalmette Refinery Contained, No Toxic Chemical

A large emergency response was underway following a reported explosion and possible fire at the refinery in Chalmette Friday afternoon.

A large plume of smoke could be seen rising from the area as officials worked to determine what caused the incident and whether there were any injuries.

St. Bernard Parish Government later provided an update: “Update: The fire at the refinery has been fully contained, and emergency response teams remain on site monitoring the situation. Per PBF/Chalmette Refining, no toxic chemicals have impacted the air quality. We appreciate the quick action of first responders and the patience and cooperation of the community.”

Also reported by: FOX 8 (WVUE).

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Update (Oct. 2, 2026): The statement about air quality came from PBF/Chalmette Refining, as relayed by St. Bernard Parish Government. No injuries were reported, according to the Associated Press, and EPA Region 6 said its community air monitoring on May 9 showed readings below its action levels (EPA Region 6). The cause was still under investigation at that time.

Source: St. Bernard Parish Government (Facebook).