Flames still burning at Basile Gas Plant into Friday evening

Posted: Feb 24, 2012 10:09 PM by Shawn Kline
Updated: Feb 24, 2012 10:20 PM

One man suffered severe burns to his hands, arms and back after an explosion at a CDM Max Natural Gas Processing Plant outside Basile. The damage to one of the stacks could still be seen into the evening as crews let the fire burn itself out.

"It was a large boom," Brently Young said. "When I ran out my home, I looked at the direction of the plant and it was engulfed with just an orange ball of flame."

Many people like Young saw the thick black smoke billowing from the gas processing station Friday afternoon. The explosion was heard miles away and the resulting fire sent one man the hospital. Trooper Stephen Hammons says AirMed rescued the man, treating him for severe burns.

"He has non-life threatening injuries but they were moderate," Hammons said. "(The victim) is in stable condition and in a local hospital."

Acadia Parish Deputies and State Police also shut-off access roads and evacuated homes within a mile radius as a precaution, but less than an hour later, the evacuations were lifted.

Young was heading back home when we caught up with him Friday afternoon.

"You always feel for the victims there," he said. "I hope he's alright. I hope he makes a full recovery."

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