Evacuations and shelter-in-place orders were in effect for residents and businesses around an oil industry tank farm in Louisiana after part of it erupted in flames Saturday, producing a plume near the Lake Charles area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It wasn’t clear what sparked the blaze at Calcasieu Refining Co. No injuries have been reported. The refinery did not answer phone calls seeking comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mandatory evacuations were in effect for those as far as a 1.5 miles from the tank farm; outer boundaries of a shelter-in-place order have been reduced from 5 miles to 3 miles, according to the Lake Charles Fire Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a statement, the fire department described the blaze as a “crude oil tank fire.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cause of the fire was under investigation by Harbor Police. Port Director Ricky Self told NBC affiliate KPLC<\/a> of Lake Charles that the grounds were home to another fire Thursday that may have started in an area where motor oil was stored for company vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It wasn’t clear if the fires were in any way related.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n