Roseland, Louisiana - A major fire at the Smitty’s Supply, a lubricants manufacturing plant near Roseland, Louisiana, is now 90% contained, according to state officials. The fire, which ignited Friday after an explosion at the facility, led to heavy flames and thick black smoke visible for miles, prompting a mandatory evacuation for everyone within a one-mile radius of the site. There have been no reported injuries since the incident began, and approximately 150 personnel remain engaged in coordinated response and recovery operations.
Additional resources—including specialized heavy equipment—arrived overnight, helping response teams remove structural debris and target lingering hot spots. A containment berm, or barrier, is being constructed around the site to help prevent the spread of any potential contaminants. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stepped in to lead the ongoing response, using its Emergency Rapid Response Services contractors to coordinate cleanup and ensure a seamless transition from Smitty’s, which had previously overseen the efforts.
Multiple agencies continue to collaborate closely. These include the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Louisiana State Police, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, the National Weather Service, and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. According to Louisiana State Police, air monitoring has detected either non-detectable or extremely low levels of contaminants, well below health-based thresholds.
Smitty’s Supply, which manufactures lubricants and a variety of automotive fluids, sustained severe damage from the explosion and subsequent fire. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is also in effect, restricting all flights—including drones—within three nautical miles of the facility up to 5,000 feet to prioritize air operations and public safety.
Environmental recovery efforts are ongoing, particularly in the nearby Tangipahoa River and other waterways, to monitor and mitigate any potential impacts. For wildlife concerns, a dedicated hotline has been established—832-514-9663—for reporting impacted animals. Residents are strongly cautioned not to handle affected wildlife directly; only use the official hotline to report issues.
