Electrical substation fire causes Convent refinery shutdown
*VIDEO DOES NOT INCLUDE AUDIO*
CONVENT - An electrical fire sparked by a transformer at an Entergy substation produced massive flames and smoke, causing an uncontrolled shutdown at the Shell Convent refinery Tuesday night.
In a video posted to the Ascension Parish News Facebook page by Ryan Red Taylor, large flames and smoke can be seen coming from near the refinery. The fire since been put out, according to the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office.
According to the St. James Parish Sheriff's Office, the refinery, located in the 10000 block of Hwy. 44, lost all power after the substation's electricity was cut off.
No injuries have been reported, according to the St. James Parish Sheriff's Office.
Shell released this statement regarding the incident late Tuesday evening:
"Shell’s Convent Refinery experienced an electrical fire September 26 at approximately 8pm. The fire caused a power interruption at the site. Shell initiated its emergency response plan, which included immediately deploying personnel to respond to the incident.
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All site personnel have been accounted for and there were no injuries associated with this incident. The community will notice elevated flaring during this process. All appropriate agencies were notified."
The transformer involved in the incident is reportedly owned by the Shell Convent refinery, according to Michael Burns with Entergy Louisiana.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.