This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/usa/401783-arkema-chemical-plant-explosion-fire-crosby/

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Explosion at Arkema chemical plant in Crosby, Texas causes massive fire Explosion at Arkema chemical plant in Crosby, Texas causes massive fire
(35 minutes later)
Towering flames and clouds of black smoke have overtaken much of the Arkema chemical plant in Crosby, Texas, after extensive flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey forced an evacuation of the facility.Towering flames and clouds of black smoke have overtaken much of the Arkema chemical plant in Crosby, Texas, after extensive flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey forced an evacuation of the facility.
 
"You could call this a warning sign that more explosions or fires could be coming soon," Jeff Carr, a spokesman for Arkema, told the Houston Chronicle."You could call this a warning sign that more explosions or fires could be coming soon," Jeff Carr, a spokesman for Arkema, told the Houston Chronicle.
This is the second trailer at the Arkema chemical plant in Crosby, Texas to catch on fire, sending plumes of noxious black smoke into the air Friday. Two smaller explosions at the chemical plant occurred Thursday.This is the second trailer at the Arkema chemical plant in Crosby, Texas to catch on fire, sending plumes of noxious black smoke into the air Friday. Two smaller explosions at the chemical plant occurred Thursday.
The smoke could be seen in the residential Newport area of Crosby, about 7 miles away. The smoke could be seen in the residential Newport area of Crosby, about 7 miles away. Harris County officials are advising residents who did not evacuate the 1.5-mile area around the plant to close their windows and turn off their air conditioning systems.
Officials said that three of the nine trailers have lost power, according to KPRC. Hazardous materials crews are headed to the scene.
Rachel Moreno at the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office told RT America that the explosion was a result of the product inside the trailers reaching its combustion state, which is causing the black smoke.
She said that residents should be safe if they adhere to the one-and-a-half mile evacuation zone, and advised those who are near the site to shelter in place, close all their windows and turn off their air conditioning.
Moreno said no change was made to the evacuation zone.
This is the second of nine trailers at the plant that has caught fire. The trailers each contain liquid organic peroxides, which needs to be cooled to a certain temperature, otherwise it will explode.This is the second of nine trailers at the plant that has caught fire. The trailers each contain liquid organic peroxides, which needs to be cooled to a certain temperature, otherwise it will explode.
Officials said that three of the nine trailers have lost power, according to KPRC.
On Thursday, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office tweeted that 15 deputies were “complaining of respiratory irritation from the Arkema incident.” They have since been released from the hospital.On Thursday, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office tweeted that 15 deputies were “complaining of respiratory irritation from the Arkema incident.” They have since been released from the hospital.
The Harris County Fire Marshal's Office has ordered residents within a one-and-a-half mile radius to evacuate the area.The Harris County Fire Marshal's Office has ordered residents within a one-and-a-half mile radius to evacuate the area.
In a conference call with reporters on Friday, Arkema President and CEO Rich Rowe said he fully expects the remaining trailers to catch fire, adding the best course of action would be to let the trailers “burn out.”In a conference call with reporters on Friday, Arkema President and CEO Rich Rowe said he fully expects the remaining trailers to catch fire, adding the best course of action would be to let the trailers “burn out.”
“The only recourse is to let the eight containers burn out," Rowe said, according to ABC News. "It’s 500,000 pounds of material; let that material burn out."“The only recourse is to let the eight containers burn out," Rowe said, according to ABC News. "It’s 500,000 pounds of material; let that material burn out."
The plant produces plastic resins used to manufacture items for a wide array of products. The plant produces plastic resins used to manufacture items for a wide array of products.