Explosions reported at flood-hit Arkema chemical plant in Texas
Two explosions were reported on Thursday at the flood-hit Arkema SA (AKE.PA) plant in Crosby, Texas, and a sheriff’s deputy was taken to hospital after inhaling chemicals, the company said.
The company said further explosions of organic peroxides stored on site were possible and urged people to stay away as the fire burns itself out.Arkema said the company had no way to prevent fires because the plant is swamped by about 6 feet (1.83 m) of water due to flooding from Harvey, which came ashore in Texas last week as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, knocking out power to its cooling system.The company said it was notified at about 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....MORE
