Explosion reported at flood-hit Arkema plant in Texas

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(Reuters) – Two explosions were reported on Thursday at the flood-hit Arkema SA (AKE.PA) chemical plant in Crosby, Texas, and a sheriff’s deputy was taken to a hospital after inhaling chemicals, the company said.

The company said it was notified at approximately 2 a.m., by the Harris County Emergency Operations Center of two explosions and black smoke coming from the plant in Crosby.

“Organic peroxides are extremely flammable and, as agreed with public officials, the best course of action is to let the fire burn itself out,” the company said.

“We want local residents to be aware that product is stored in multiple locations on the site, and a threat of additional explosion remains. Please do not return to the area within the evacuation zone.”

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said on its Twitter feed the deputy had been taken to the hospital and nine others drove themselves to the hospital as a precaution.

The company evacuated remaining workers at the damaged plant on Tuesday, and Harris County ordered the evacuation of residents within a 1.5-mile (2.4-km) radius of the plant, which makes organic peroxides used in the production of plastic resins, polystyrene, paints and other products.

Reporting by David Shepardson in Washinggotn and Jon Herskovitz in Austin, Texas; Editing by Hugh Lawson

Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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