Explosion Risk at Arkema Plant in Texas Forces Evacuations

An Arkema organic peroxides plant in Crosby, TX is facing an emergency as rising flood waters from Hurricane Harvey threaten to cause a fire or explosion at the facility, forcing the evacuation of a small crew manning the site and some area residents.

The company said in a press release Tuesday that the facility has been without power since Sunday morning. The danger is posed by the lack of powered cooling equipment to prevent the heat-sensitive organic peroxides from reaching dangerous temperatures.

“At the time, while we do not believe there is any imminent danger, the potential for a chemical reaction leading to a fire and/or explosion within the site confines is real.” The company said in the release.

Workers at the site moved the product to back-up containers on Monday in an effort to maintain safe temperatures, the Houston Chronicle reported. The newspaper noted that a 2016 analysis by the Chronicle and the Texas A&M Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center identified the Arkema site in Crosby as one of most at-risk chemical facilities in the Houston area for a safety incident.

Arkema said it is working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the state of Texas to establish a command post near the facility.

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