Roseland, La. – One year after the August 22, 2025 explosion at the Smitty’s Supply plant that released millions of gallons of oil and chemicals, the town’s residents, officials and the company remain locked in a long‑term cleanup and rebuilding effort.
Explosion’s lasting impact on the community
The blast ignited a fire that burned for nearly two weeks, sending aerosolized oil and soot across the surrounding area. Families within a mile of the facility, including an elementary school, were ordered to evacuate while petroleum products spilled into the Tangipahoa River and nearby wetlands.
At the time of the disaster, Smitty’s employed roughly 450 workers, making it one of the parish’s largest employers. The sudden loss of jobs, combined with two months of road closures on U.S. Highway 51, crippled the small businesses that line the town’s Commercial Street.
Local businesses feel the strain
Parvinder Singh, who runs the Sky’s Pantry convenience store adjacent to his home, says customer traffic has dropped dramatically. “It affected the business a lot,” Singh told reporters, “but you can’t do anything.”
Cleanup progress and lingering concerns
The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been overseeing the remediation. By December 2025, EPA officials reported that cleanup crews had recovered more than 11 million gallons of petroleum products, with an additional 2 million gallons removed afterward, according to LDEQ records. The EPA formally ended its on‑site operations on Dec. 8, returning the site to Smitty’s.
Mayor Van Showers expressed frustration with what he called a “slow and incomplete” cleanup, noting that oil sheens still appear in nearby waterways. “The citizens have been left with a pile of crap,” he said. “I think there needs to be a third party doing the inspections. You gotta have somebody watching the watchers.”
Parish President Robby Miller, who regularly checks in with LDEQ officials, said the remaining oil remnants are difficult to remove because they have seeped into rivers, woods, wetlands and roadways. “They explained it’s gonna take a long time to clean this up,” Miller said, adding that Smitty’s has been cooperating with officials and appears to be making a good‑faith effort.
Health and environmental worries
Firefighters used foam containing per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called “forever chemicals,” which have been linked to cancer, fertility issues and developmental delays in children. A study by LSU scientist Bikram Subedi found PFAS and petroleum residues in water samples from the Tangipahoa River and Lake Pontchartrain estuary after the explosion.
The Louisiana Fish Advisory Workgroup has recommended adding PFAS screening to future seafood testing. While Smitty’s acknowledges the release of oil and chemicals, the company disputes responsibility for PFAS contamination, attributing recent sheens to rain‑washed remnants rather than new leaks.
Company plans a comeback
Despite the damage, Smitty’s is moving forward with a permit renewal application submitted to LDEQ on July 24. The company reports that about 4.5 million gallons of petroleum storage capacity remain intact and is assessing whether surviving tanks can be incorporated into a new storage facility.
Records show the firm also intends to construct new warehouses within the next two to three years, signaling a long‑term commitment to remain a major employer in Roseland.
What’s next for Roseland?
Local officials continue to press state and federal agencies for thorough oversight and timely remediation. As the company works toward reopening, residents remain hopeful for restored jobs but wary of lingering environmental risks.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
