Multiple explosions reported at flooded Texas chemical plant

Crosby, Texas — Arkema Inc. reported that two blasts occurred at its chemical plant in Crosby, Texas, early Thursday, but Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez walked back those claims in a news conference, saying that the pops were from an “expected and planned” chemical release.

Aug 31, 2017 8:41 AM EDT: At a news conference Thursday morning, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said explosions reported at Arkema Inc. in Crosby, Texas, were in fact expected chemical reactions and not dangerous to the public.

"It was not an explosion," Gonzalez said. "I want to be clear, it was not an explosion."

Officials on Thursday morning evacuated a 1.5 mile radius around the chemical plant, which lost power on Sunday.

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"They were different organic peroxides of different grades that were released and it created a pop in the containers where they were being stored," Gonzalez said. "Some gray smoke initially emanated from it and eventually turned into black smoke."

Arkema Inc. reported that two blasts occurred at its chemical plant in Crosby, Texas, early Thursday, but Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez appeared to walk back those claims on Twitter later, saying “some type of release” occurred.

Aug 31, 2017 6:20 AM EDT: Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez appeared to walk back reports from Arkema Inc. that two explosions occurred early Thursday at the company's flooded plant in Crosby, Texas, outside Houston.

Gonzalez tweeted that "there has been some type of release" at the plant, but it was "not believed to be [an] explosion."

NBC News reported earlier that Arkema confirmed that authorities had told them of the explosions about 3 a.m. ET.

Meanwhile, the Sheriff's Office tweeted that smoke inhaled by 10 deputies near the plant was believed "to be a non-toxic irritant," according to Arkema officials.

Aug 31, 2017 5:14 AM EDT: According to KTRK, two explosions were reported early Thursday at the flooded Arkema plant, the company said.

"Black smoke was also visible" after the explosions, KTRK reported.

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The Harris County Sheriff's Office tweeted that one deputy was taken to the hospital and nine others drove themselves to the hospital after inhaling fumes from the plant.

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WTVJ's Julia Bagg tweeted early Thursday that a "plume of smoke" was spotted over the flooded Arkema plant.

ORIGINAL STORY: Fear of an explosion at a chemical facility in Crosby, Texas, prompted continued evacuations Wednesday for residents within a mile and half of the plant.

The CEO of the North American unit of Arkema told reporters Wednesday that the company knew there was no way to prevent an explosion.

“We have an unprecedented 6 feet of water throughout the plant. We’ve lost primary power and two sources of emergency backup power. And as a result, critical refrigeration needed for our materials on site is lost. Materials could now explode and cause a subsequent and intense fire. The high water that exists on site, and the lack of power, leave us with no way to prevent it,” Chief Executive Rich Rowe said Wednesday.

Floodwaters swamped the backup generators Tuesday, compromising the refrigeration required for the chemicals stored there.

“The fire will happen. It will resemble a gasoline fire. It will be explosive and intense in nature,” spokeswoman Janet Smith told The Associated Press.

Arkema manufactures organic peroxides, a family of compounds used for making everything from pharmaceuticals to construction materials.

"As the temperature rises, the natural state of these materials will decompose. A white smoke will result, and that will catch fire,” Smith said. “So the fire is imminent. The question is when.”

Authorities working with Arkema urged everyone to evacuate Tuesday within a 7 square-mile area surrounding the plant. Homeland Security is also setting up a command post near the site, according to CNBC.

The facility is located 25 miles northeast of Houston. The plant falls along a stretch near Houston that features one of the largest concentrations of refineries, pipelines and chemical plants in the country.

– The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group