PASADENA, Texas – The fire that broke out Wednesday afternoon was ruled as accidental after a liquid petroleum gas explosion occurred at the INEOS cumene production facility in Pasadena.
Ruling in Fire at INEOS Phenol Plant in Pasadena - https://t.co/NAOGZJSIMx pic.twitter.com/1xI9p8enzU
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Pasadena firefighters and crews from the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office responded around 11:45 a.m. to the possible explosion that occurred at INEOS, which is located in the 3500 block of Pasadena Freeway.
During a news conference, authorities said the explosion occurred while liquid bulk trucks were delivering raw materials, specifically liquid petroleum gas (LPG), to the facility. LPG is the mixture of propylene and propane, a raw material used in the production of cumene... and cumene is an intermediate chemical used to produce phenol, which is a refined product used to produce everyday consumer goods and construction materials.
During the offloading of the LPG, INEOS officials said the gas ignited a spark, causing an explosion.
INEOS said its team immediately contacted first responders and rendered aid, and the fire was officially extinguished at 1 p.m.
One person, the driver of a third-party bulk truck, was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital in stable condition. Officials said all other staff members at the facility were accounted for.
WATCH: KPRC 2 viewer catches moment explosion occurred in Pasadena
There were no known impacts to the community or shelters in place, according to authorities, but healthcare officials were to conduct an investigation and monitor the air quality in the area to ensure it was safe.
The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston also reported that there was no pollution in the water, and officials said although there did not appear to be any known remaining hazardous material leaks, monitoring would continue.
Judge Hidalgo released the following statement regarding the explosion:
“I know folks are concerned about ongoing safety in the area. Our Pollution Control and Hazardous Materials teams will remain on the ground to monitor the situation and ensure there is no threat to public health or safety,” said Judge Hidalgo. “These incidents continue to happen too often in our community and that is unacceptable.”
INEOS Phenol Statment on the explosion:
“At approximately 11:45 A.M., an explosion and fire occurred at the INEOS Phenol cumene production facility located in Pasadena, TX (“Facility”). One individual, the driver of a third-party bulk truck, sustained injuries in the explosion. The individual was transported by ambulance to Memorial Herman Hospital in Houston, TX. The individual is currently in stable condition. The INEOS Phenol family has the individual and his family in their thoughts. At the time of the explosion and fire, liquid bulk trucks were delivering raw materials, specifically liquid petroleum gas (“LPG”), to the Facility. The LPG was a mixture of propylene and propane, a raw material used in the production of cumene. Cumene is an intermediate chemical used to produce phenol, which is a refined product used to produce everyday consumer goods and construction materials. During offloading of the LPG, for reasons that are unclear, the LPG ignited causing an explosion and subsequent fire. INEOS personnel immediately mustered and commenced firefighting operations. Concurrently, Channel Industries Mutual Aid and other Harris County emergency response personnel also rendered aid to the facility. The fire was extinguished at approximately 1:00 P.M. Air monitoring was conducted down wind of the Facility by an independent, third-party monitoring company. The results of the air monitoring showed no degradation in surrounding air quality. The Facility is currently shutdown. INEOS Phenol is working with local law enforcement, county personnel, and federal and state agencies to determine the root cause of the incident. There is no danger to the surrounding community.”
WATCH: Officials hold news conference on explosion at Pasadena chemical plant