An explosion was confirmed at a chemical plant in Crosby, Texas. A statement form the company said that there is a threat of explosion.
UPDATE 4: The company said further explosions of organic peroxides stored on site were possible and urged people to stay away as the fire burns itself out.
Arkema said the company had no way to prevent fires because the plant is swamped by about 6 feet (1.83 m) of water due to flooding from Harvey, which came ashore in Texas last week as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, knocking out power to its cooling system.
The company said it was notified at about 2 a.m. by the Harris County Emergency Operations Center of two explosions and black smoke coming from the plant in Crosby.
“Organic peroxides are extremely flammable and, as agreed with public officials, the best course of action is to let the fire burn itself out,” the company said.
UPDATE 3: The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said on its Twitter feed the deputy had been taken to the hospital and nine others drove themselves to the hospital as a precaution.
The company evacuated remaining workers at the damaged plant on Tuesday, and Harris County ordered the evacuation of residents within a 1.5-mile (2.4-km) radius of the plant, which makes organic peroxides used in the production of plastic resins, polystyrene, paints and other products.
UPDATE 2: Nine people drove themselves to the hospital, as a precaution.
UPDATE 1: French chemicals group Arkema confirmed on Thursday two explosions at its plant in Crosby, Texas, and added there was a risk of further explosions at the site.
“We want local residents to be aware that the product is stored in multiple locations on the site, and a threat of additional explosion remains,” Arkema said in a statement.
“Please do not return to the area within the evacuation zone until local emergency response authorities announce it is safe to do so,” it added.
Smoke and an explosion were reported on Thursday at the flood-hit Arkema SA chemical plant in Crosby, Texas, Houston TV station Fox 26 reported.
The company evacuated remaining workers at the damaged plant on Tuesday, and Harris County ordered the evacuation of residents within a 1.5-mile (2.4-km) radius of the plant, which makes organic peroxides used in the production of plastic resins, polystyrene, paints and other products.
Photo: YouTube
Reuters
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