Arkema chemical plant faces two explosions after Hurricane Harvey
French chemicals group Arkema has reported two explosions and black smoke at its flood-hit chemical plant in Crosby, Houston, Texas, and added there was a risk of further explosions at the site.
The company evacuated remaining workers at the damaged plant on Tuesday, and Harris County ordered the evacuation of residents within a 1.5-mile (2.4-km) radius of the plant
Organic peroxides are extremely flammable
It was reported earlier that Arkema expected chemicals to catch fire or explode at its heavily flooded plant in the coming days because the plant has lost power to its chemical cooling systems. The plant has been shut down since Friday in anticipation of the storm. The Crosby plant produces liquid organic peroxides that are used primarily in the production of plastic resins, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC and polyester reinforced fiberglass, and acrylic resins. Organic peroxides are extremely flammable and, as agreed with public officials, the best course of action is to let the fire burn itself out.
