Blast at Texas Chemical Plant Kills 1; 52 Hurt
An explosion Monday rocked a Phillips Petroleum chemical plant near the Houston Ship Channel, killing one worker and injuring at least 52 people.
The blast sparked a fire that sent thick smoke over the area.
“I was in the main shop area when I heard a loud explosion,” said Tim Williams, a plant worker who estimated he was more than 200 yards from the 1:25 p.m. explosion. “My ears hurt, and I took off running. I looked back and saw flames, and kept going.”
Search crews discovered the body of a missing employee about five hours after the early afternoon blast. Fifty-two people were taken to hospitals with injuries that included burns, smoke inhalation and anxiety-related disorders.
Spokesman Norm Berkley said the plant employs 850 people, about 600 of whom would have been there at the time of the blast.
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