Houston Chronicle
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Nov. 8—One person suffered minor burns after a chemical plant explosion and fire were reported in San Jacinto County Wednesday morning, and emergency personnel were asking residents in nearby neighborhoods to take shelter.
The person was identified as an employee at Sound Resource Solutions, according to Emmitt Eldridge, of the San Jacinto County Office of Emergency Management. Sound Resource Solutions President/Owner Geoff Harfield said during a news conference that the employee was in a forklift incident and was taken to Memorial Medical Center where their condition was stabilized.
"He's in good hands," he said. "He's been taken care of well, and that's really our biggest focus."
The San Jacinto County Office of Emergency Management posted a warning on Facebook alerting people after receiving a call around 8:17 a.m. about a fiery explosion at FM 1127.
Initially, residents living in a five-mile radius were told to shelter in place, however, first responders posted an update on Facebook around 10:28 a.m. saying, "After scene assessment of the plant fire, the shelter-in-place has been reduced from a five-mile radius to a one-mile radius."
EXPLAINER: What does it mean to shelter in place?
San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said investigators learned the explosion had been caused by flammable liquid such as diesel, possibly turpentine and other chemicals.
According to Hartfield, the company carries 30 truckloads of raw materials a day and ships another 30 truckloads of finished goods per day. He said the company also fills chemicals, including paint and other hazardous materials.
U.S. Highway 59 near FM 1127 has been closed for hours as crews worked on the fire. Traffic was backed up into Montgomery County, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Facebook post.
A nearby private school, Wildwood Academy, of 31 students was evacuated through a resident's property to the Shepherd Independent School District Administration Building. Additional schools also posted on social media about sheltering in place including Livingston ISD, Leggett ISD and Corrigan-Camden ISD. Goodrich ISD reportedly evacuated students to Onalaska ISD where parents can pick up their children.
The explosion affected nearby neighborhoods including in Polk and Tyler counties. According to Polk County Emergency Management, the plume from the chemical plant had been headed toward the Livingston area.
Polk County Emergency Management recommended residents who live near the highway, from Goodrich to Leggett, find shelter. They also stated some will need to shelter in place and turn off HVAC systems in homes and businesses immediately.
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The Department of Public Safety provided alternative routes for anyone leaving the area:
— Travelers going northbound on Highway 59 will need to exit off of State Loop 494.
— Travelers going southbound on Highway 59 will need to exit towards U.S. Highway 190.
Earlier, District 2 Commissioner Donny Marrs posted on Facebook encouraging people who plan to leave their residence to travel towards the end of FM 1127 to Watson Road near the entrance of the Trinity River Ranch. However, they could not come back due to the highway being closed.
The Texas Commission of Environmental Quality responded to the fire in an effort to support the local first responders. Officials said during the afternoon news conference that the plumes from the fire were shrinking and the fire was contained.
"We've been a part of the community since 2014. We employ almost 40 people ... what we're grateful for is that every one of those people (is) going to be home eating dinner with their family tonight," Hartfield said.
According to Hartfield, the company plans to provide a statement to community members once the investigation is complete.
Rep. Ernest Bailes wrote on Facebook that he was also informed by TCEQ and was working to get more information.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
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