Texas Chemical Explosion: What Caused the Accident?

A significant Texas chemical explosion resulted in a massive fire, leading to evacuations and stay-at-home orders, according to The Guardian.

The explosion and fire occurred on Wednesday morning at a chemical plant in Shepherd, Texas, approximately an hour outside of Houston, according to the San Jacinto County Office of Emergency Management's Facebook post.

The incident took place at a petroleum processing plant, as reported by the Precinct 2 Constable for San Jacinto County, as cited by NBC News.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Geoff Harfield, the president of Sound Resource Solutions, disclosed that one employee sustained minor burns and is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital.

Images shared on social media depicted extensive plumes of smoke rising from the chemical plant fire.

Following the explosion, a nearby private school evacuated 31 children, relocating them to a nearby facility. A portion of US Highway 59 was also closed, as confirmed by the county's emergency management office.

Texas Chemical Explosion Cause

The Texas chemical explosion cause was identified by San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers, who stated that investigators determined the explosion resulted from flammable liquid, possibly turpentine, and other chemicals, per Houston Chronicle.

The company's president, Harfield, explained that their work involved oil and gas, paint and coatings, and wastewater treatment.

He likened the flammable material they handled to diesel, highlighting the inherent dangers similar to pumping gas.

Harfield also mentioned that the company received 30 truckloads of raw materials daily and shipped out another 30 loads of finished goods.

The explosion's impact extended to nearby areas, including Polk and Tyler counties.

According to Polk County Emergency Management, the plume from the chemical plant had moved toward the Livingston area, primarily due to winds coming from the southwest, as reported by Justin Ballard, the Houston Chronicle's newsroom meteorologist.

According to Brian Kyle from the National Weather Service in Houston, there were no anticipated air quality impacts in Houston.

However, Grace Tee Lewis, a health scientist with the Environmental Defense Fund, pointed out that people living near the fire and unable to shelter in place might have been exposed to particulate pollution known as PM 2.5 from the smoke. In significant quantities, PM 2.5 has been linked to various health issues, including asthma, respiratory diseases, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and neurological problems.

Lewis noted that she couldn't confirm the presence of other harmful chemicals in the smoke due to the absence of public air monitors near the facility.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality also responded to the fire.

During an afternoon news conference, San Jacinto County officials conveyed that the smoke plumes were diminishing, the fire was under control, and there were no chemicals in the air.

Shelter-In-Place Lifted

The shelter-in-place order within a 1-mile radius around the chemical plant was lifted in the afternoon, down from its initial 5-mile radius, as confirmed by San Jacinto Emergency Management Coordinator Emmitt Eldridge, USA Today noted.

Polk County officials also lifted their order but advised residents to limit outdoor activities and encouraged young children, individuals with respiratory ailments, and those with health issues to remain indoors.

HVAC systems could be turned on at residents' discretion.

By Wednesday afternoon, the smoke situation had improved as over 20 fire crews tackled the flames using foam, according to Eldridge, who assured that "the fire is contained."

Harfield, the company president, emphasized their focus on employee safety and community rebuilding, stating that while the plant contained hazardous materials, they were similar to common household substances.

He added that they had a long-standing track record of handling these materials safely.

Previously, residents had reported a "chemical-type smell" in Polk County and neighboring areas. The emergency management office had suggested that the odor might have been carried into the county by the wind from another location.

Eldridge, on Wednesday afternoon, clarified that the smell from the previous day was likely caused by "a truck driving through the area."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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