Air Liquide plant reopens following fire

PORT ALLEN, La. — The Air Liquide Specialty Chemicals Plant in Port Allen, La., where an explosion and fire forced evacuations last week, reopened Wednesday, The Advocate reported.

On May 21, a fire erupted in the plant yard where cylinders containing acetylene were stored, forcing the evacuation of more than 40 homes in a one-mile radius.

It took responders two days to put out the fire.

The cause of the incident is still under investigation.