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Aerial view of chemical fire in Shepherd, Texas on November 8, 2023.
(Photo: Fox News 26/Screenshot)
'Effects of the Chemical in the Air Are Unknown': Explosion at Texas Petroleum Processing Plant
The explosion resulted in a massive fire as residents in and around the town of Shepherd were ordered to stay inside and turn off their HVAC systems to avoid contact with the toxic smoke and particles in the air.
Nov 08, 2023
This a breaking and developing story... Please check back for possible updates...
At least one worker was reported injured and the surrounding community placed under a shelter-in-place order after an explosion at a chemical plant in the town of Shepherd, Texas on Wednesday resulted in a monstrous and toxic fire.
Roughly 60 miles north of Houston in San Jacinto County, the explosion and subsequent chemical blaze took place at the Sound Resource Solutions facility, a petroleum processing plant. A source toldABC 13 News that a 1,000-gallon propane tank sits in the middle of the fire while various highly flammable toxic chemicals and materials are used at the plant.
"Polk County Emergency Management recommends that residents along US Hwy 59 from Goodrich to Leggett shelter-in-place and turn off HVAC systems in homes and businesses immediately," said a local emergency response from officials in neighboring Polk County. "At this time, the effects of the chemical in the air are unknown."
According to the Sound Resource Solutions website, the chemical products and solvents used or generated at the processing plant include: xylene, toluene, acetone, methy ethyl ketone, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, sulfuric acid 93, various isoproply alcohols, hexan, and others.
Local affiliate Fox 26 was providing live coverage:
There is no confirmed information about the cause of the fire, though some local outlets reported talking with workers who said a forklift accident may have been the initial cause that set off a larger chain reaction.
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This a breaking and developing story... Please check back for possible updates...
At least one worker was reported injured and the surrounding community placed under a shelter-in-place order after an explosion at a chemical plant in the town of Shepherd, Texas on Wednesday resulted in a monstrous and toxic fire.
Roughly 60 miles north of Houston in San Jacinto County, the explosion and subsequent chemical blaze took place at the Sound Resource Solutions facility, a petroleum processing plant. A source toldABC 13 News that a 1,000-gallon propane tank sits in the middle of the fire while various highly flammable toxic chemicals and materials are used at the plant.
"Polk County Emergency Management recommends that residents along US Hwy 59 from Goodrich to Leggett shelter-in-place and turn off HVAC systems in homes and businesses immediately," said a local emergency response from officials in neighboring Polk County. "At this time, the effects of the chemical in the air are unknown."
According to the Sound Resource Solutions website, the chemical products and solvents used or generated at the processing plant include: xylene, toluene, acetone, methy ethyl ketone, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, sulfuric acid 93, various isoproply alcohols, hexan, and others.
Local affiliate Fox 26 was providing live coverage:
There is no confirmed information about the cause of the fire, though some local outlets reported talking with workers who said a forklift accident may have been the initial cause that set off a larger chain reaction.
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- LNG Pipeline Explosion and Fire Force Evacuations in Texas Town | Common Dreams ›
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This a breaking and developing story... Please check back for possible updates...
At least one worker was reported injured and the surrounding community placed under a shelter-in-place order after an explosion at a chemical plant in the town of Shepherd, Texas on Wednesday resulted in a monstrous and toxic fire.
Roughly 60 miles north of Houston in San Jacinto County, the explosion and subsequent chemical blaze took place at the Sound Resource Solutions facility, a petroleum processing plant. A source toldABC 13 News that a 1,000-gallon propane tank sits in the middle of the fire while various highly flammable toxic chemicals and materials are used at the plant.
"Polk County Emergency Management recommends that residents along US Hwy 59 from Goodrich to Leggett shelter-in-place and turn off HVAC systems in homes and businesses immediately," said a local emergency response from officials in neighboring Polk County. "At this time, the effects of the chemical in the air are unknown."
According to the Sound Resource Solutions website, the chemical products and solvents used or generated at the processing plant include: xylene, toluene, acetone, methy ethyl ketone, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, sulfuric acid 93, various isoproply alcohols, hexan, and others.
Local affiliate Fox 26 was providing live coverage:
There is no confirmed information about the cause of the fire, though some local outlets reported talking with workers who said a forklift accident may have been the initial cause that set off a larger chain reaction.
From Your Site Articles
- Fire at Houston-Area Petrochemical Plant Rages as Company's History of Violations Gets Renewed Scrutiny ›
- Thousands Evacuated After Chemical Leak and Massive Fire at 'Cancer Alley' Oil Refinery ›
- 140+ Groups Demand Insurers End Support for 'Toxic' LNG Terminals ›
- Just One Week After Trump Rolled Back Safety Measures, Chemical Plant Explosion Rocks Texas Town ›
- Day After Texas Fire, Report Reveals US Hazardous Chemical Incidents Occur Almost Daily ›
- Uncontrolled Texas Wildfires Shut Down Nuclear Weapons Plant ›
- Fingers Point at Big Oil Climate Villainy as Record Wildfire Rips Through Texas ›
- LNG Pipeline Explosion and Fire Force Evacuations in Texas Town | Common Dreams ›
- Probe Demanded as Second Houston-Area Petrochemical Disaster in a Month Kills 2 | Common Dreams ›
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