Roseland Plant Explosion Prompts Evacuations & School Closures

On Friday afternoon, August 22, 2025, a massive plant explosion and fire erupted at Smitty's Supply lubrication plant in Roseland, Louisiana. The blast shook Tangipahoa Parish and sent thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky.

Officials issued a mandatory evacuation for everyone within a one-mile radius of the plant, centered around the intersection of Highways 51 and 10. Residents were told to leave immediately and stay away until further notice. Highway 51 at Highway 10 was shut down, creating traffic disruptions as emergency crews worked to contain the fire.

Roseland Elementary School, which is about 4,000 feet from the explosion, was evacuated as a precaution. Students were transported to the Tangipahoa Parish School Board Office, where parents were instructed to pick them up. Other evacuees should gather at the Amite Community Center, per WDSU. Thankfully, reports confirm there have been no injuries or fatalities so far.

Among those evacuated were former Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and his wife, whose home is inside the danger zone. Both are safe.

Drone footage of the fire shows the scale of the destruction, with flames tearing through the facility and a massive column of smoke rising overhead. Local law enforcement and emergency responders remain at the scene.

What Will Be the Consequences?

Explosions and fires at industrial plants are not random accidents—they are preventable events. By definition, when a plant suffers a catastrophe like this, it reflects negligence somewhere in its design, maintenance, or operation.

Founded in 1960, Smitty's Supply is one of the largest privately owned oil manufacturers in the U.S. The company produces and distributes motor oil, hydraulic fluid, antifreeze, and other lubricants, employing about 400 people at its Roseland facility. As of this writing, officials have not announced what is burning or what the potential causes might be. 

Companies that run industrial facilities have an ethical responsibility—and a legal duty—to protect the people who live and work nearby. When they fail, the community pays the price. Evacuations, school closures, and the fear of toxic exposure are not just "side effects." They are the direct consequences of shortcuts and unsafe practices.

The risks extend far beyond fire damage. Chemical exposure from burning lubricants and industrial materials can linger in the air, settle into soil, and harm anyone caught downwind. Families forced to flee their homes now face uncertainty—not just about when they can return, but whether the air and water will be safe when they do.

Arnold & Itkin has seen time and again how plant owners and operators try to minimize their responsibility after disasters like this. But the truth is clear: they are the ones in control of safety measures. They are the ones who choose whether to invest in protections or cut corners. And when their choices put lives at risk, they must be held accountable.

Our thoughts are with the families and businesses in Roseland who were forced to evacuate so suddenly. We will continue to monitor the situation closely as more information becomes available. For now, we join the community in hoping that the fire is fully contained, that the air is safe to breathe, and that residents are able to return home soon without lasting harm.