Marathon oil refinery fire in Louisiana leaves residents worried, company claims no harm

Residents near Marathon Petroleum’s massive refinery in Garyville, Louisiana, reported health issues after a fire in August 2023, while the company maintained no offsite impacts.

Oliver Laughland, Sara Sneath and Will Craft report for The Guardian.

In short:

• A 2023 fire at Marathon's Garyville refinery burned for three days, releasing toxic chemicals into nearby communities.
• Despite health complaints, including breathing issues and headaches, Marathon and local authorities stated there were no offsite impacts.
• Investigations reveal significant concerns over company transparency and local government emergency responses during the incident.

Key quote:

“I’m having trouble with breathing. I taste oil in my mouth.”

— 911 caller in the town of Edgard

Why this matters:

The fire underscores concerns over industrial accidents in Louisiana's "Cancer Alley," where residents are frequently exposed to high pollution levels. As climate change intensifies, such incidents may become more frequent, further endangering vulnerable communities.