News Summary
An explosion at Smitty’s Supply Inc. in Tangipahoa Parish on August 22, 2025, led to a massive fire and the spill of millions of gallons of chemicals into the Tangipahoa River. More than 17 lawsuits, including claims for unpaid firefighting services and environmental damage, have been filed against the company. The EPA is overseeing cleanup efforts, recovering millions of gallons of oil and chemicals, while local ranchers report negative impacts on their livestock. A community meeting is set for September 5 to address ongoing concerns.
Roseland, Louisiana – An explosion at Smitty’s Supply Inc., an oil and lubricants plant in Tangipahoa Parish, led to a massive fire on August 22, 2025, resulting in millions of gallons of unknown chemicals spilling into the Tangipahoa River and surrounding areas. Following the incident, over 17 lawsuits have been filed against the company, including claims from U.S. Fire Pump for unpaid firefighting services and allegations of environmental damage from local ranchers.
The fire, which required 24-hour firefighting efforts for at least seven days, prompted residents within a one-mile radius to evacuate. The blaze created a significant black plume of smoke that spread across 15 miles, raising concerns over public health and safety. U.S. Fire Pump has filed a lawsuit demanding $6.16 million for their services, claiming Smitty’s Supply refused to compensate them for the work undertaken to control the fire. To secure the payment, U.S. Fire has placed a lien on Smitty’s properties.
In the aftermath of the explosion, local rancher Ronnie Polezcek filed a lawsuit contending that soot and oil from the incident adversely affected his cattle and property. The lawsuit highlights that one of his cows experienced a still-born calf shortly after the explosion, prompting him to move his cattle to another location. This lawsuit is among several class-action cases that have emerged, focusing on damages incurred from the environmental fallout.
Responding to the environmental emergency, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken the lead in cleanup operations, utilizing Superfund dollars for the remediation efforts. Reports indicate that approximately 3.5 million gallons of oil and chemicals have already been recovered, including over 74,000 gallons from skimming operations on the Tangipahoa River. However, the situation remains complicated, as the EPA detected toxic substances, such as arsenic, barium, chromium, and lead, in soot samples collected from the site of the explosion.
To date, the EPA has determined that the air and soot testing results indicate no immediate risk to public health. Nonetheless, environmental groups are challenging this conclusion, pushing for more thorough investigations into the long-term effects of the pollution on local ecosystems and communities. The Tangipahoa Parish Government has partially reopened a section of the waterway to marine traffic, although traces of oil sheen may still be present.
Concerns continue regarding the potential for further incidents. Crews are actively monitoring tanks on the Smitty’s Supply site to avert additional blowouts, especially after a tank blowout occurred on September 1, 2025. In response to the upheaval caused by the explosion, a town hall meeting has been scheduled for September 5, 2025, in Roseland to address community concerns and provide updates on recovery efforts.
In the wake of the explosion, the United Way of Southeast Louisiana has initiated a collection for donations to support Smitty’s employees who lost their jobs as a result of the disaster. As legal actions mount and environmental recovery efforts proceed, the full impact of the explosion on both local residents and the environment remains to be seen.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- WDSU: Fire Contained Following Explosion at Smitty’s Supply
- Wikipedia: Smitty’s Supply
- WWLTV: Smitty’s Supply Fire Nearly Contained
- Google Search: Smitty’s Supply Explosion
- FOX 8 Live: Explosion at Smitty’s Supply Causes Mandatory Evacuation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Smitty’s Supply
- WAFB: Cleanup Process Following Major Explosion at Smitty’s Supply
- Google News: Smitty’s Supply Explosion
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
