Leak injures worker

Dozens of people were evacuated from their homes near Verdunville after a small chlorine leak injured one person at the St. Mary Parish Water District 5 treatment plant yesterday.
At 9:51 a.m. on Monday, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s office received a call about a small chlorine leak at 244 Lake Road. One employee was transported to a local hospital with what Sheriff Mark Hebert described as non-life threatening injuries.
Hebert said the evacuations were a cautious measure and the public was not in any danger from the chemical spill.
“From what I understand, they were changing a chlorine bottle and they had a leak,” Hebert said. “One guy was contaminated and he was being treated. We contacted the school in Centerville and they are keeping the kids inside as a precaution. Everything is safe. This is just a precaution and we will continue to monitor the situation.”
The Franklin Fire Department responded to the spill as well as a hazmat team from the Louisiana State Police. Evacuations took place on Parish Road 131 from Wayne Road to Franchine Road. Evacuees were assisted at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Centerville.