By Bonnie Culverhouse
Residents of Doyline felt a literal blast from the past around mid-morning Friday when a black powder manufacturing company’s production line exploded.
“We received calls from some residents in the Camp Minden area this morning,” Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said. “I guess it vibrated their houses.”
When he arrived on the scene, Parker said fire and emergency personnel were already there.
“The fire was completely out around 11:30,” he added. “It’s at least a 24 to 48 hour waiting period before anyone can go in there to determine a cause.”
Louisiana State Police Hazmat was also on the scene, according to Troop G Public Information Officer Jonathan Odom.
“They (Hazmat) were told there were no injuries and all the employees – around 15 – were evacuated safely,” Odom said. “There were no additional evacuations necessary.”
Odom reiterated that Hazmat is awaiting the end of a cooling-off period before they can access the scene.
“At this point, we don’t know what caused it,” he said.
This is not the first time Goex’s production line has taken a hit.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, this is at least the seventh explosion since the company moved to the Camp Minden site in 1997.
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