Oxygen pipeline leak prompts subdivision evacuation

An oxygen pipeline leak that forced the evacuation of Pelican Point subdivision in Ascension Parish on Monday night was stabilized before midnight, Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Tony Bacala said.

Bacala said the pipeline, owned by Air Liquide of Houston, was depressurized and put into repair mode. George Smalley, a spokesman for Air Liquide, said a work crew was dispatched immediately to the site to stop the flow of oxygen.

“The affected line will remain out of service until repairs can be made after Hurricane Isaac has passed,” Smalley said.

Residents in Pelican Point subdivision, located on La. 44 in Burnside, reported hearing a “loud, roaring sound” similar to that of a jet engine around 8:30 p.m. on Monday. Hazardous material teams as well as several fire departments in Ascension investigated the leak, but no dangerous or flammable materials were detected.

About an hour after the sound was discovered, authorities identified an oxygen leak from the Air Liquide pipeline as the source of the noise. Bacala said the leak caused no damage to property and no injuries. The cause of the leak was not immediately known.

Air Liquide specializes in gases for industry, health and the environment, including oxygen, nitrogen, argon and hydrogen, according to the company’s website. In addition to its headquarters in Houston, the company has an office in Baton Rouge and facilities in Geismar and Port Allen.