3 hurt at Texas chemical plant hit by 2 massive explosions
Published:Thursday | November 28, 2019 | 12:53 PM
PORT NECHES, Texas (AP) — Two massive explosions 13 hours apart tore through a Texas chemical plant Wednesday, and one left three workers injured.
The blasts blew out windows and doors of nearby homes and prompted a mandatory evacuation of a 4-mile radius from the plant in Port Neches in Southeast Texas, about 80 miles east of Houston.
Officials say they have no estimate for how long the fire will burn.
The initial explosion at the TPC Group plant, which makes chemical and petroleum-based products, occurred around 1:00 a.m.
It sent a large plume of smoke stretching for miles and started a fire.
The three workers hurt during the blast —two TPC employees and a contractor — were treated at hospitals and released, said Troy Monk, TPC’s director of health, safety and security.
About 30 employees working at the plant at the time of the explosion were all accounted for, according to TPC.
Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick, the top county official, told Beaumont TV station KFDM that it’s a miracle no one died.
He said one worker suffered burns and the others had a broken wrist and a broken leg.
Monk said the blast occurred in an area of the plant that makes butadiene, a chemical used to make synthetic rubber and other products.
He said the plant has 175 full-time employees and 50 contract workers.
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