Massive explosion at chemical plant in Port Neches, Texas - UPDATE: Explosions ongoing 24 hours later - 60,000 ordered to evacuate

RT
Wed, 27 Nov 2019 07:50 UTC

Comment: 24 hours later, it's still a raging inferno in Port Neches. Local authorities have ordered about 60,000 people to evacuate the area.

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A giant fireball erupted after an explosion rocked the plant in Port Neches, Texas

A chemical plant in Port Neches, Texas exploded in the early hours of Wednesday morning, according to eyewitnesses and local media. The evacuation of nearby residents is reportedly already under way.

There have been no reports of injuries but damage to buildings in the vicinity is widespread as the explosion, reportedly at the TPC Group chemical plant, blew out buildings and rocked homes up to 40 miles (64km) away. The explosion was even felt as far away as neighboring Louisiana.

The heat from the explosion and subsequent fire is so intense it was detected by a local tv station's satellite.

Residents said the bomb felt "like a bomb" that made their walls "flex."

"Literally thought we were about to die," one resident said.

First responders themselves have been ordered to move back from the raging inferno as more explosions are expected.

Comment: It appears that major explosions are occurring more frequently in recent times:

• ANOTHER major fire breaks out at chemical plant, this time at a refinery in California
• ANOTHER major fire at a chemical plant in Europe, this time at a waste disposal facility in Linz, Austria
• China chemical plant blast kills 4, injures 6
• Again? Another massive industrial blaze breaks out in France, 100 firefighters deployed near Lyons, France
• Rouen residents rally after chem plant blaze: 'We want to know what we're breathing!'
• Massive explosion at Florida shopping center: 'It just looks like an apocalypse, 'multiple patients'
• Powerful explosion obliterates suburban house in Christchurch, New Zealand - Gas suspected but cause unknown
• Fire 'like a nuclear bomb' rips through Philadelphia refinery