SHREVEPORT, La. - Fire has consumed a former battery plant in west Shreveport.


No injuries were reported.

No evacuations were ordered Tuesday, although The Times says police have blocked off streets near the building.

State Environmental Quality officials are monitoring the air and water around the plant to check for harmful chemicals.

The former Gould Battery Plant was fully involved when firefighters arrived about 1:45 p.m. Low water pressure is hampering efforts to douse the flames, which witnesses say shot some 20 stories into the air at one point.

Fred Sanders, a spokesman for the Shreveport Fire Department, says they've called for water tankers to help fight the blaze and asked the city to look into the pressure problems.

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Information from: The Times, http://www.shreveporttimes.com

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