Hurricane victims forced to flee blaze at chemical plant
HUNDREDS of families left devastated by Hurricane Harvey faced new misery yesterday after a chemical plant was engulfed by an “incredibly dangerous” fire.
As firecrews battled the blaze in Houston, Texas, everyone living within a mile and a half of the plant was ordered out of their homes when “noxious” gases were released during two explosions.
Fifteen police officers were taken to hospital after inhaling the smoke and suffering irritation to their eyes, lungs and skin.
Executives at chemical company Arkema – which makes organic peroxides – said the fumes were not deadly, but told people to go to their doctor if they inhaled them.
The first explosion happened at about 2am local time after a power failure caused by flooding.
Police went from door to door ordering residents to evacuate, but there was confusion over how dangerous the smoke and gases were.
Rich Rennard, an executive with Arkema, said chemicals used to make the peroxides were stored in nine ice-cooled containers.
But after the flood the ice had melted, causing chemicals in one container to break down and catch fire. Mr Rennard said he “fully expects” the eight other containers to do the same and that they could burn “quickly and very violently”.
He added that the smoke was “noxious”, although a county sheriff said it was no more dangerous than inhaling campfire smoke.
Meanwhile, as helicopter rescue teams continue to airlift stranded victims of the hurricane to safety, coastguards in Houston began door-to-door searches for bodies as the waters start to recede.
At least 39 people have died as a result of the hurricane and more than 100,000 homes have been damaged.