Inspection Report Reveals Pre-Fire Hazards at Smitty's Supply
Roseland, Louisiana
Summary of Incident
On August 22, 2025, a fire and explosion destroyed the Smitty's Supply facility in Roseland, Louisiana. The fire prompted the evacuation of residents within a one-mile radius and required a multi-agency response to contain the blaze and manage environmental impacts. In January 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an inspection report identifying significant issues at the facility prior to the incident. The report noted over 200 spills, at least 250 damaged containers, and more than 300 unlabeled or unidentified containers at the site.
Facility Description
Smitty's Supply was a lubricant manufacturing and packaging facility. It served as the company's flagship operation, employing approximately 450 people. The facility was vertically integrated, producing its own plastic bottles and blending various lubricants. Industry reports indicate the site had 11 million gallons of bulk storage capacity and housed significant quantities of flammable materials, including gas, oils, and greases.
Speculation on Causes and Contributing Factors
Based on the EPA inspection report and employee accounts, poor housekeeping and improper storage of hazardous materials may have contributed to the severity of the incident. The presence of leaking, damaged, and unlabeled containers suggests a failure in material handling protocols. A former employee stated that damaged drums were frequently moved to a warehouse where they would leak, creating potential ignition sources. These pre-existing conditions could have allowed a small ignition to escalate rapidly into a facility-wide fire.
Sources of Information
WBRZ
JobbersWorld
EPA News Releases
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