Leaking chlorine cylinder temporarily closes plant

Emergency responders contained a small chlorine leak at a Houma shrimp processing plant Tuesday afternoon.

No injuries were reported, but two firefighters were taken to Terrebonne General Medical Center to be decontaminated, according to Capt. Brealon Yelverton, assistant uniform commander for the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Around 12:45 p.m., Gulf Fish Inc. reported that one of its 100-pound chlorine cylinders was leaking the powerful gas.

According to plant manager Robin Bourg, when an employee tried to remove the regulator on the damaged cylinder, the valve malfunctioned.

“There was only a small amount of chlorine left in the cylinder. When he used the wrench to close it, that didn’t stop the gas from escaping,” Bourg said. “So he just left it alone and ran.”

Houma Fire Department firefighters capped off the cylinder enough to slow the leak.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office shut down La. Highway 311 between Polk and Lafayette streets for 90 minutes. Traffic has since reopened.

About 30 Gulf Fish Inc. and Chauvin Funeral Home employees were evacuated as a precautionary measure, said David Babin of the parish Office of Emergency Prepardeness.

Airgas officials removed the broken cylinder from the scene.

Chlorine is a toxic gas that irritates the respiratory system, can induce coughing and vomiting and cause lung damage. It can be fatal after a few deep breaths of the gas.

“It was a small leak, but this is what it takes when you’re dealing with something like cholrine,” Babin said. “We can’t be too cautious.”

Airgas officials remove a damaged 100-pound chlorine cylinder from Gulf Fish Inc. on La. Highway 311 Tuesday afternoon. The cylinder began leaking shortly after noon, shutting down traffic between Polk and Lafayette streets for 90 minutes. No one was injured during the incident; however, two firefighters were taken to Terrebonne General Medical Center to be decontaminated. * Photo by KEYON K. JEFF