Chemical plant explodes in Texas, seriously injuring one person and prompting shelter-in-place orders for residents in a five-mile radius
- A chemical plant exploded in Shepard, Texas on Wednesday
- Shelter has been granted to residents near US Highway 59 from Goodrich to Leggett
- It is unclear what caused the explosion, but one person was seriously injured
A chemical plant exploded in a massive fireball in Texas around 8:30 a.m., sending a giant cloud of black smoke into the sky and prompting evacuations.
Shelter has also been granted to residents within a five-mile radius of Wednesday’s explosion in Shepherd, Texas.
According to FOX 26 one person was injured and taken to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center with first-degree burns to the face, along with second- and third-degree burns to the arms.
The San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office reported the chemical plant fire to Sound Resource Solutions.
Sound Resource Solutions is a local recycling facility in Shepard, Texas. According to the company’s website, they focus on “blending, repackaging, distribution and logistics” in a sustainable way.
Polk County Emergency Management is recommending residents near U.S. Highway 59 from Goodrich to Leggett to shelter in place.
They have also advised residents to immediately turn off their HVAC systems in businesses and homes.
A shot of the huge plume of black smoke coming from a driver’s car (photo)
A fire has broken out at a chemical plant at Sound Resource Solutions, a local recycling plant in Shepherd, Texas
The sheriff’s office is asking the public to avoid the area and watch for emergency vehicles.
Emergency responders have reported that a plume of smoke is heading towards Livingston. Polk County Emergency Management is recommending residents near U.S. Highway 59 from Goodrich to Leggett to shelter in place.
The effects of the chemicals in the air are unknown at this time, but it is suspected that the wind carries the odor and smoke from the fire into the air.
Polk County Emergency Management has posted a map of the US Highway 59 region from Goodrich to Leggett. All residents of that area must be given shelter immediately
The dark smoke has taken over the clear blue sky from the chemical explosion (photo)
Someone posted on Facebook (pictured) saying she ‘never heard a bang’ when she was in the donut shop at the time of the explosion
While sheltering in place during a radiation emergency, all windows and doors should be closed and everyone inside should move to the basement or center of the building. CDC said.
If you are stuck in a car during a shelter, you should look for the nearest building. Cars do not provide sufficient protection against radioactive material.
One person posted on Facebook saying: ‘Thanks to no one who called to check on me. Yes, this is 2 miles away. I was at the donut shop while the police and fire trucks were on their way.”
“I’ve never heard a bang,” they said.