In a significant incident near Houston, Texas, a massive explosion rocked a chemical plant in Shepherd, triggering a substantial fire that led to widespread evacuations and stay-at-home orders. The San Jacinto county office of emergency management reported the incident on Wednesday morning.
The explosion occurred at a petroleum processing plant, causing a large-scale fire, as confirmed by the precinct 2 constable for San Jacinto county. Initial reports indicate one employee suffered minor burns and is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital, according to Geoff Harfield, the president of Sound Resource Solutions.
The chemical plant’s fire sent billowing plumes of smoke into the sky, captured in images circulating on social media platforms. Following the explosion, a nearby private school evacuated 31 children to a nearby facility.
As a precautionary measure, a section of US Highway 59 has been closed, disrupting local traffic. Residents within a five-mile radius of the plant received instructions to stay indoors. However, officials later modified the shelter-in-place order, limiting it to those within a one-mile radius, as communicated by the county’s emergency management office.
The incident raises concerns about the safety protocols and environmental impact associated with chemical processing plants. Investigations into the cause of the explosion and fire are anticipated.