Move FM Global News

HOUSTON, Texas: For the third day this week, a fire has burned at Shell’s chemical plant in Deer Park near Houston, said Texas Spokesperson Curtis Smith.

The fire started on May 5 after an explosion in a unit that produces olefins, used to make plastics and rubber.

The fire was extinguished for a few hours by the following morning before it reignited later in the day, Smith added.

Nine people were evaluated and released at local hospitals for possible chemical exposure, but no injuries were reportedly caused by the fire.

“Water is being sprayed onto the fire to keep it under control until the chemicals, which were being processed at the time of the explosion, burn away. Water may continue to be sprayed for up to 36 hours after the fire is extinguished to keep nearby equipment cool,” Smith said, according to Reuters.

“Water runoff has exceeded the chemical plant’s wastewater capacity and is being diverted into the Houston Ship Channel, and a boom has been deployed in the channel to contain any chemicals that may be carried by the water runoff,” he added.

“Air monitoring in neighboring communities has not detected any harmful levels of chemicals from the fire,” Smith said.