PASADENA, Texas – One person was injured in an explosion at a plant in Pasadena, according to police.
It happened Saturday morning around 10:15 at Pasadena Refining System, Inc. in the 100 block of Red Bluff.
“All we heard was the door shake like it wanted to break down,” said Sylvia Matrinez.
It was a scary sight for many, but normal for longtime Pasadena residents.
“It doesn't faze anyone anymore. I don't think. They just get out and look at the excitement and go on about their business,” said Cynthia Chapa.
Officials said workers were starting a compressor when a fire started.
“We purge the lines with nitrogen gas to make nitrogen inlet and when we purge the lines sometimes it releases some diesel that flash,” said Manager Mark Berlinger.
OSHA records indicate at least nine citations for the plant in the past.
Plant personnel told Pasadena police there is no chemical release inside the plant.
The person was taken to Bayshore Medical Center with a flash burn to his hand.
“I understand the employee is talkative and talking with employees that are with him,” said Berlinger.
Authorities closed the Houston Ship Channel at 10:40 a.m. and it didn't reopen until 2:25 p.m. Also, the Washburn tunnel was closed in both directions.
Here is Petrobras' statement on the incident:
Petrobras announces that earlier today, March 5th, at 1:15 pm, Brasília time, a fire broke out at the DieselHydrotreating Unit belonging to Pasadena Refinery System Inc. (PRSI), in Texas/USA.
The mutual assistance plan, an agreement between the refinery and the local authorities, was put into action and the fire was brought under control. During the incident, a worker was taken to a local hospital for treatment and then released.
PRSI and Harris County professionals performed air quality monitoring around the refinery and no external impact was identified.
As a precaution, the canal in the PRSI area was temporarily closed to shipping, then reopened a few hours later.
The refinery continues to operate safely, in accordance with the due operating licenses issued by the responsible bodies.