A chemical plant in Shepherd, Texas experienced a fiery explosion on Wednesday, resulting in a plume of smoke over the area. Authorities advised residents to stay indoors and take shelter.
According to the plant’s owner, Sound Resource Solutions, all employees are accounted for, with only one worker suffering a minor burn injury, ABC News reports.
Officials from San Jacinto County urged people to steer clear of the plant in Shepherd, Texas, a community of just over 2,000 residents. The cause of the explosion has yet to be determined.
The San Jacinto Office of Emergency Management recommended that residents within a 5-mile radius remain indoors, and confirmed the safe evacuation of a private school near the plant.
In nearby Polk County, emergency management officials instructed residents along Highway 59 between Goodrich and Leggett to stay indoors and switch off HVAC systems in homes and businesses. Officials noted that the smoke plume appeared to be heading toward Livingston, Texas.
Polk County Emergency Management emphasized on social media, “At this time, the effects of the chemical in the air are unknown.”
Highway 59 was also shut down due to the ongoing fire.
Video of chemical plant explosion in Shepherd, Texas
Shelter-in-place order issued after chemical plant explosion in Shepherd, Texas; smoke visible for milespic.twitter.com/0krc7baQlk
— BNO News (@BNONews) November 8, 2023
BREAKING: Massive explosion at a chemical plant in Shepherd, Texas, residents ordered to shelter pic.twitter.com/7csSMETw7S
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) November 8, 2023
