Texas Chemical Plant Explosion: Mandatory Evacuations Lifted

PORT NECHES, TX — A mandatory evacuation order has been lifted for communities within a four-mile radius of the Port Neches chemical plant rocked by explosions this week, officials said.

At a news conference Friday, Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick, who lifted the evacuation order, said the blaze at the plant has been contained. He said residents should still avoid the area around the TPC Group plant and that isolated fires remain within the facility.

The evacuation order was put in place after Branick received information from the Texas Commission for Environmental Equality and reports from law enforcement of residents in harm's way who were refusing to leave their homes. In the initial evacuation order, Branick also cited "imminent dangers" posed by the explosion.

The entire communities of Port Neches, Nederland and Groves, and parts of Port Arthur, were affected by the order.

The explosion early Wednesday morning injured two workers and a contractor at the plant. No fatalities were reported. A second blast ripped through the plant about 2 p.m., sending a steel reactor tower rocketing high into the air.

The plant, operated by the TPC Group in southeastern Texas, makes chemical and petroleum-based products.

According to the latest statement Friday by the company, "the event is still ongoing, and Emergency Response crews remain on site working to manage the incident." The company said air monitoring results show no human health concerns at this time.

TPC said affected residents can contact the TPC Community Assistance Helpline at 866-601-5880 to file a claim with its insurance provider.

Reporting and writing from The Associated Press was used in this report.