Large explosion rocks Texas chemical plant

An explosion at a chemical plant in Texas early Wednesday sent a large fireball into the sky, reports and witnesses said, triggering a mandatory evacuation. Dramatic videos and photos shared on social media showed a large blast, with one resident describing waking up to a huge boom and “glass all over us”.

Ryan Mathewson, who lives roughly two minutes from the plant in Port Neches, near Houston, told AFP: “We woke up to glass all over us and parts of the ceiling caved in, (and) doors blown in.” The 25-year-old said he and his family were “shook up and scared” following the blast. County Judge Jeff Branick told local news site KFDM News that there were no fatalities reported and only three people with minor injuries. He called it “a miracle”.

At least two people have been taken to hospital, a spokeswoman for the Jefferson County Sheriff ’s Office told the New York Times. TPC Group, which operates the plant, said the explosion happened in what it said was a “processing unit” at around 1am local time (0700 GMT). “TPC Group has activated its Emergency Response Plan and requested assistance from Port Neches Fire Department and Huntsman.

The Port Neches plant is around 85 miles (135 kilometers) from Houston. More than 200 people work at the facility, according to TPC Group’s company website. The facility produces butadiene, a flammable gas used in the production of synthetic rubber, and other petrochemicals such as butane.