Oil Rig Explodes On Louisiana’s Lake Pontchartrain 

(Kenner, LA)  —  There are reports of at least six injuries after an oil rig explosion on Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana.

The Kenner Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard are working the scene, along with emergency personnel from St. Charles and Jefferson Parishes.

The explosion site is just northwest of the Treasure Chest Casino. The “Times-Picayune” newspaper reports that several of the injuries are serious.  No reports of fatalities as of Sunday night.

NBC news states that “While the exact cause of the explosion is still not clear, officials in the aftermath said they suspect it was touched off after cleaning chemicals on the platform ignited during some kind of maintenance work. Officials earlier described it as an oil rig, but it is a natural gas storage rig.”