Chemical Explosions Rip Through Texas Plant; 8 Hurt

Explosions rocked a South Texas chemical packaging plant Friday, injuring eight people and sending up bright orange flames and clouds of black smoke visible from downtown Houston 12 miles away.

Firefighters said the blaze at the Solvents & Chemicals Inc. plant in an industrial area south of Houston could burn for days. Authorities called for an evacuation of a four-mile area as the fire raged.

The most seriously injured worker was Eloy Salazar, 28, who suffered second- and third-degree burns on his chest, face and back. He told his doctor that a spark from a forklift touched off the explosion.

“They were apparently depressurizing some 55-gallon drums, and there was a spark, I believe from a forklift, and that set off the fire,” said Dr. Jeff Britton of Houston Hermann Hospital.

Another employee, Alexander Jacky, 49, was being treated at Southeast Memorial Hospital in Pearland for minor burns to his forearm. Six firefighters and emergency workers were treated for heat exhaustion or smoke inhalation, officials said.

Spokesman Jordi Baizan said the company packages paint and lacquer thinners, windshield washing products and charcoal starters. He said most of its products are nontoxic.

Richard Hawkins, division manager for the Houston Emergency Medical Service, said multiple types of solvents, including paint thinner, were burning at the plant.

“There are several storage tanks nearby the fire, and that’s our biggest concern right now,” Hawkins said.