Four fatalities and a chemical fire attributed to Hurricane Laura

Hurricane Laura is responsible for four fatalities and a chemical fire posing a deadly threat to Louisiana residents.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards provided the death toll in a live news conference Thursday afternoon. Additional deaths may be reported throughout the day as rescue teams get into the areas hit by the storm.

The first reported death occurred in Vernon Parish, about 100 miles off the coast, where a 14-year old girl died when a tree fell on her home.

A 60-year-old man in Acadia Parish also died from a fallen tree, WAFB reports. Acadia is located east of Lake Charles on the Interstate 10 corridor.

The other two deaths are also attributed to fallen trees in Jackson Parish.

A chemical fire involving chlorine that began in the wake of the hurricane is billowing toxic smoke over Lake Charles. Edwards and emergency management has advised resident to stay indoors with closed windows and turn off their air conditioners. Hazmat teams are attempting to bring the fire under control.

Chlorine gas is toxic and can be fatal. It was used as a chemical weapon in World War I, and as recently as 2007 by Iraqi insurgents.