By Jerald Jimenez
08 Nov 2023, 14:18 PM EST
A chemical plant of the Sound Resource Solutions company, located in the city of Shepherd, Texas, suffered an explosion and fire on Wednesday morning, causing an emergency in the area and the activation of safety protocols.
Due to the tragic explosion, one person was injured and several nearby communities had to take refuge in their homes due to the risk of environmental contamination.
The explosion occurred around 8:17 am at the plant that is dedicated to the mixing, repackaging and distribution of chemicals, some of them highly toxic and carcinogenic, according to San Jacinto County Emergency Management.
The incident sent a huge plume of black smoke rising over US Highway 59, where the plant is located, but it was not clear what caused the explosion or what type of chemical burned.
A plant employee suffered first-degree burns to his face and second- and third-degree burns to his arms, and was taken to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center for medical care. l
Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for a five-mile radius around the plant, which was later reduced to one mile, and asked residents to turn off their air conditioning systems to avoid inhaling smoke. A nearby private school was also evacuated and several public schools in the area were ordered closed.
Polk County Emergency Management, neighboring San Jacinto County, warned that the column of smoke was heading towards the Livingston area and recommended residents take shelter in their homes and pay attention to the instructions of the authorities.
“At this time, the effects of the airborne chemical are unknown,” Polk County officials said.
US Highway 59 remained closed from FM 1988 to Exit 451B while emergency responders worked at the scene, the Texas Department of Transportation said.
Sound Resource Solutions president Geoff Harfield said the company has been working in the area for many years, since 2014, and its priority is the well-being of the community.
Shepherd is a town of about 2,300 residents, according to Census Bureau figures. Of these, 60% are Anglo-Saxon, 20% Hispanic and the rest of other races and origins.
With information from Fox News / Fox News 26