Company says gas leak caused explosion at Houston-area plant
HOUSTON — Officials say a gas leak caused an explosion and brief flash fire at a chemical plant near Houston, resulting in non-life threatening injuries to nearly two dozen workers.
Kuraray America says in a news release that ethylene escaping from a safety valve caught fire Saturday at the company’s EVAL plan in Pasadena where 266 workers were on site.
Ethylene is a gas that is not harmful to humans and is used in the production of plastic.
La Porte Emergency Management Lt. John Krueger says the injuries include burns similar to a severe sunburn and back and leg injuries.