What to Know About Smitty’s Supply Chemical Plant Explosion and What It Means for Roseland, LA

On Friday afternoon, August 22, 2025, tragedy struck Roseland, Louisiana, when an explosion rocked the Smitty’s Supply facility, an automotive lubricant plant just north of the small town. 

The blast spewed towering flames and thick black smoke into the air and triggered massive evacuations across the area.

While immediate injuries have reportedly been avoided, the environmental and emotional fallout continues to be a pressing concern. Families and small towns deserve answers, justice, accountability, and restoration.

If you or a loved one has been affected by the explosion in Roseland, LA, contact Morgan & Morgan for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.

What Caused the Explosion?

The exact cause of the plant explosion is still under investigation, but it is confirmed to be linked to a large fire at the petroleum manufacturing plant that involved a series of explosions. While the investigation is ongoing, the focus is on the fire and its potential to cause the explosions, possibly due to the flammable products at the facility. 

Authorities quickly placed a mandatory evacuation within a one-mile radius, affecting Roseland’s approximately 1,100 residents and forcing the nearby elementary school to close and students to be bused to neighboring Amite City. 

Emergency crews, including local fire departments, environmental agencies, and law enforcement, rushed to the scene to manage the blaze and its fallout.

What Is the Impact of the Roseland, LA, Explosion?

By Saturday evening, responders had managed to contain about 90% of the fire, but the evacuation remained in force, and cleanup efforts continued through Sunday. Hotspots were being addressed, structural debris removed, and a containment berm erected around the site to aid in environmental remediation.

Authorities have conducted continuous air and water quality monitoring, while residents reported unsettling phenomena, such as "oily rain" falling on homes and vehicles, irritating soot residue lingering in the air, and reports of worsened asthma symptoms among nearby residents.

“You can taste it in the air," one evacuated resident told the press.

Officials advise residents to stay indoors, avoid contact with soot, wash hands thoroughly, and minimize exposure where possible.

What Is Smitty’s Supply Known For?

Smitty’s Supply, a family-owned enterprise, has been operating since the 1960s and has grown into one of America's largest privately-owned automotive lubricant suppliers, employing around 400–450 people. Unfortunately, the recent tragedy isn’t a first for this plant.

Previous safety concerns have been noted:

• In August 2020, an employee was fatally struck by a tractor-trailer at the facility.
• In 2021, OSHA fined the company for safety violations related to truck operations.
• In 2024, the company paid a $250,000 penalty following an EPA investigation for environmental and safety infractions.

While these incidents are not confirmed to be connected to the recent explosion, they may point to a history of industrial risk management issues and overall neglect when it comes to the safety of others.

What This Means for Affected Families, and How Morgan & Morgan Can Help

At Morgan & Morgan, we take the safety of our communities very seriously and fight to hold careless companies accountable when they put civilians in harm’s way.

Residents displaced by the explosion may face property damage, health concerns, and emotional trauma. Morgan & Morgan may be able to guide families through claims and personal injury considerations, including medical monitoring and potential long-term health tracking.

Companies like Smitty’s, especially those handling hazardous chemicals, owe a duty of care to their neighbors. With a history of safety and environmental violations, there may be grounds to explore liability claims for negligence or failure to uphold safety standards.

In these critical moments, a law firm that shows up not only with legal support but with compassionate, proactive guidance can make all the difference. Morgan & Morgan’s local presence, thorough understanding of environmental and occupational law, and empathetic advocacy can be a pillar of strength.

For over 35 years, our family law firm has fought For the People, and our unwavering commitment to this goal has grown us into the largest personal injury law firm in the country, securing over $25 billion in compensation for personal injury claims across the nation.

If you were affected by the recent chemical plant explosion, contact us today for a free case evaluation.