Explosions occur at a flooded chemical plant in Houston

At the submerged chemical plant in Houston, two explosions thundered, resulting in a cloud of black smoke and a fire started, which are not going to extinguish.

“We want local residents to know that raw materials are stored in multiple locations and there remains a risk of explosion,” the Arkema plant said in a statement. “We are working closely with government officials to monitor the situation.”

The statement also says that "in coordination with government officials, the best course of action is that the fire itself will burn."

Arkema is located 34 kilometers from Houston in Crosby and stopped working on Friday, even before the hurricane began.

Photo: Google map

The consequences of an explosion can be dangerous for the residents of Crosby, where the plant is located.

All residents within 2,5 km from the plant were evacuated on Tuesday, 29 August, and the Federal Aviation Administration closed the air service near the site at the end of Wednesday. The National Guard is on site, and the Department of Homeland Security has set up a command post near the station.

According to the Texas police tweet, one of the policemen was already hospitalized after inhaling poisonous fumes. Another nine police officers are undergoing medical examination, writes the BBC.

Because of the heavy rainfall that Harvey brought, the chemical plant’s territory was flooded and the power supply was interrupted, the company said. Backup generators are also flooded. As a result, the cooling system of the plant was de-energized.

The plant produces organic peroxides, which are used in various fields - from pharmaceuticals to construction. At high temperatures they can be hazardous to health.

This incident is reminiscent of the devastating explosion at the West Fertilizer Co. plant. in the west, Texas, in April 2013 of the year. Then the 15 people died and more than the 160 people were injured.

Sean Hawthorne, a senior firefighter from the Crosby volunteer fire department, said Wednesday that if a fire starts, there will be difficult to reachbecause the streets in the area are flooded with several meters of water.

Photo: twitter / Ed Gonzalez @SheriffEd_HCSO

The National Weather Service has downgraded Hurricane Harvey to a tropical cyclone, but forecasters continue to forecast heavy rainfall over eastern Texas and western Louisiana.

In Houston itself, the rescue operation continues - platoons of firefighters are combing flooded neighborhoods in search of survivors.

Photo: twitter / Texas Military Dept
@TXMilitary

10, thousands of US National Guard soldiers, take part in the operation, and 14 thousands more are expected to arrive in Houston soon.

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