NPR

Chemical Fire Reported At Flooded Arkema Plant In Crosby, Texas

Because of floodwaters from Hurricane Harvey, the plant lost power — and the ability to keep containers of volatile organic peroxides from bursting and burning, according to Harris County officials.
The Arkema plant in Crosby, Texas, is northeast of Houston. The company says it received reports of two explosions at the plant in the early hours of Thursday.

Updated at 10:02 a.m. ET

Fire broke out and containers of chemicals burst at the Arkema plant in Crosby, Texas, early Thursday, confirming fears that volatile organic peroxides produced at the plant could pose a threat after Hurricane Harvey knocked out safety systems.

The company had pulled its employees from the facility earlier this week out of concern for their safety. Residents within a 1.5-mile radius of Arkema were also ordered to flee.

Because of flooding from Harvey, the plant lost power —

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