Blasts hit storm-ravaged Texas chemical plant
- 7 years ago
CROSBY, TEXAS — Blasts rocked a flooded Crosby, Texas chemical plant on Thursday.
According to Reuters, 15 Harris County Sheriff's deputies had to be treated in hospital after investigating the explosions.
The plant makes organic peroxides, a compound found in commonplace everyday household items. Some of these require refrigeration and if they aren't cooled, they can catch fire.
Arkema Group, the facility owner, had been expecting a fire or explosion. Flooding from Hurricane Harvey had knocked out the facility's power and this meant its cooling systems weren't refrigerating volatile substances.
Prior to the explosion on Thursday, the company told the Texas Tribune there wouldn't be any long term impact and that environmental damage would be minimal.
According to Reuters, 15 Harris County Sheriff's deputies had to be treated in hospital after investigating the explosions.
The plant makes organic peroxides, a compound found in commonplace everyday household items. Some of these require refrigeration and if they aren't cooled, they can catch fire.
Arkema Group, the facility owner, had been expecting a fire or explosion. Flooding from Hurricane Harvey had knocked out the facility's power and this meant its cooling systems weren't refrigerating volatile substances.
Prior to the explosion on Thursday, the company told the Texas Tribune there wouldn't be any long term impact and that environmental damage would be minimal.