Two explosions and black smoke was seen rising from a chemical plant near Houston early third morning, US state officials have said.
Plant operator Arkema said that the company had been informed of the situation at the Crosby county plant at 2am central time.
A statement from the firm added: “Local officials had previously established an evacuation zone in an area 1.5 miles from our plant, based on their assessment of the situation.
“We continue to work closely with federal, state and local authorities to manage the situation.”
Harris County Sheriff’s office said one deputy had been taken to hospital after inhaling fumes from the plant while 9 others drove themselves to hospital as precaution.
Flooding has overwhelmed the plant in recent days as a result of Hurricane Harvey.
As a resukt Arkema lost critical refrigeration of the products on site.
Organic peroxides are stored on the site and burn if not stored at low temperature.
Organic peroxides are a family of compounds that are used in a wide range of applications, such as making pharmaceuticals and construction materials.
Arkema added in its statement: “We have been working closely with public officials to manage the implications of this situation, and have communicated with the public the potential for product to explode and cause an intense fire.
“Organic peroxides are extremely flammable and, as agreed with public officials, the best course of action is to let the fire burn itself out.
“We want local residents to be aware that product is stored in multiple locations on the site, and a threat of additional explosion remains. Please do not return to the area within the evacuation zone until local emergency response authorities announce it is safe to do so.”