Explosions and Smoke Reported at Arkema Inc.'s Crosby Plant
CROSBY, TX – Explosions and smoke have been reported at Arkema Inc.’s Crosby, Texas, plant. The company said in a statement it was notified by the Harris County Emergency Operations Center of two explosions at the plant at approximately 2 a.m. CDT. Local officials had established an evacuation zone within a 1.5-mile radius of the plant after the possibility of an explosion was determined earlier in the week.
Arkema had closed the plant on Friday in anticipation of the hurricane. The facility produces liquid organic peroxides that are used primarily in the production of plastic resins, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC and polyester reinforced fiberglass, and acrylic resins. These materials naturally degrade and some can become unstable unless refrigerated. If unrefrigerated, they can break down and rapidly catch fire. Arkema had redundant contingency plans in place at the plant to ensure that products needing refrigeration could be kept cool. However, the unprecedented flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey overwhelmed the company’s primary power and two sources of emergency backup power, and the company lost critical refrigeration of these products. At that time, Arkema evacuated the remaining personnel at the plant. The company was in close contact with emergency authorities in the area throughout, and they decided to order an evacuation of the surrounding community.