Local emergency officials on thursday reported two explosions at a flooded chemical plant in the Texas town of Crosby, its operators Arkema Inc said.
“At approximately 2 am CDT (0700 GMT), we were notified by the Harris County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) of two explosions and black smoke coming from the Arkema Inc plant in Crosby, Texas,” the company statement said.
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.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said on Twitter the deputy had been taken to hospital and nine others drove themselves to the hospital as a precaution.
“Remain well clear of the area and follow directions of local officials,” The National Weather Service said after the explosions, noting that winds were from the west to the east from 4 to 9 mph.
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.
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