The latest Texas chemical explosion is being investigated by local authorities. To ensure the safety of residents, officials decided to issue a shelter-in-place order while they were trying to determine the main cause of the incident.
Waxahachie firefighters battle a massive fire at the Magnablend chemical processing plant on October 3, 2011 in Waxahachie, Texas. The burning chemical plant is not far from several residential areas and Wedgeworth Elementary School.
The explosion happened on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at a chemical plant of Sound Resource Solutions, which is located along U.S. Highway 59 in Shepherd, Texas.
If you are living near the chemical explosion's location, here are the latest updates you need to know.
Texas Chemical Explosion Now Investigated by Officials
According to Fox News' latest report, the Texas chemical explosion injured one person; the victim suffered first-degree burns to the face, as well as second- and third-degree burns to the arms.
As of writing, the victim is being treated at the Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. Local officials haven't announced other victims aside from the one mentioned.
NBC News reported that the facility that exploded was a petroleum processing plant, which means that the gas that it emitted could still negatively affect the health of residents around the area.
Because of this, they issued a 5-mile shelter-in-place, which has been reduced to a 1-mile radius after the San Jacinto County of Emergency Management started assessing the situation.
Based on the images, the explosion led to a massive black plume of smoke billowing from the chemical plant. This forced a nearby private school on FM 1127 to evacuate students and employees.
Meanwhile, residents were asked to find alternative routes since the U.S. Highway 59 is still considered dangerous because of the chemical explosion.
"Polk County Emergency Management recommends that residents along US Hwy 59 from Goodrich to Leggett shelter-in-place and turn off HVAC systems in homes and businesses immediately," said the Polk County Sheriff's Office via its official Facebook post.
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What Texans Should Do
Flames and heavy black smoke pour from Solvents and Chemical, Inc., the largest independent chemical distributor in Texas, in Pearland after a late morning explosion on June 8, 1990. Residents near the plant have been evacuated. The blast occurred after a forklift ran into a barrel inside the main storage building, puncturing it, Pearland police said.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office said that the effects of the chemical in the air are still unknown. This is why they recommend to stay indoors as authorities investigate the incident.
However, even staying indoors could still be dangerous. Because of this, the Livingston Police Department suggested turning off air-conditioning systems.
Aside from this, if residents really need to go outside to buy food, water, and other essential supplies, it would be best to wear masks and avoid bringing their children with them.
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