UPDATE 5:05pm EST: Tens of thousands of people in the area of Port Neches, Groves, Nederland, Central Gardens, Beauxart Gardens, and part of Port Arthur, Texas have been ordered to evacuate as firefighters struggle to contain a massive blaze at a chemical plant, according to an order from Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick.
We’ve reported about the mysterious radioactive blast in Russia, that happened 3 months ago, where Putin claimed that the scientists killed in that blast were developing an “unparalleled weapon”. So it’s an interesting coincidence that now, just roughly 3 months later such major explosions happen in a very important and dangerous chemical plant in the heart of the U.S, Texas.
Massive Explosions rock Texas
Firefighters are struggling to contain the fire that has been burning for over 12 hours.
EVACUATIONS EXTENDED: There is now a mandatory evacuation of Port Neches, Groves, Nederland, Central Gardens, Beauxart Gardens and the northeast part of Port Arthur.
(Video courtesy: @abc13houston ) pic.twitter.com/mprYDmrJel
— Rusty Surette (@KBTXRusty) November 27, 2019
Here’s the moment another explosion happened at the TPC plant in Port Neches. @12NewsNow pic.twitter.com/VlVtmS79JH
— Makensie Hinkle (@MakensieTVNews) November 27, 2019
WTF!!! A third explosion has just rocked the TPC Group Plant in #PortNeches #Texas #USA …and the black smoke rises to the sky… pic.twitter.com/ZvLJb5kTui
— Bur (@Bur01210878) November 27, 2019
This is the sky over Port Neches, Texas right now. pic.twitter.com/1hLoLkSLtf
— Michael K9EI (@K9EI_Tx) November 27, 2019
More details are emerging after a massive chemical explosion at a southeast Texas refinery in the early hours of Wednesday ripped through the plant and shattered windows across nearby residential areas of Port Neches, which lies about 90 miles east of Houston. People in homes that are miles away from the blast site reported windows, doors, and rooftops being blown out by the initial shock wave from the blast.
All residents within a half mile of the burning chemical plant have been issued a mandatory evacuation order, and so far plant operator TPC said its more than 175 full-time employees and 50 contractors are all accounted for, though a handful were transported to the hospital for burns and other injuries, at least one in serious condition.
Currently the emergency is considered “ongoing” but response crews say they will soon bring it under control.
“Their doors were blown open… doorknobs themselves were shot across rooms,” one resident said. “We didn’t know what had exploded and what gasses were in the air,” the woman said, and described a panic scramble of nearby residents to flee the area: “I’ve never seen the traffic like that ever.”
I was at a friends house less than half a mile from the explosion. I have never in my life experienced something like this. I am absolutely sick. I have no words. My prayers go out to everyone at TPC, and all of the first responders. pic.twitter.com/BSHMuh9qS8
— Blondie (@macy_malin) November 27, 2019
And another eyewitness identified as Omar Hamza described a “loud boom” and “bright flash” which was followed by a deafening explosion.
“We waited for a little bit and we kind of looked outside and everyone was running around and freaking out.” He continued, “So we just grabbed the important stuff we needed — I left a note on the door and we left.”
Every single one of these doors were dead bolted. Literally insane pic.twitter.com/kOZwAl2z9k
— J-mac (@jmichalk24) November 27, 2019
Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick, who lives within the evacuation zone, described an apocalyptic scene where he initially thought they were under attack:
“Branick, who lives less than a mile away from the explosion site, said his wife thought someone was shooting at their home when she heard the blast.
“I ran out with my pistol,” the judge said, before he realized it was a refinery explosion.
Texas has been the site of other major explosions, including a 2013 fertilizer plant blast in the rural town of West that killed 15 people and wiped out hundreds of homes.”
Watch: TPC chemical plant explosion in Port Neches as seen from Twin City Highway.
(Video via William Castleman) pic.twitter.com/8nOsjXVeZW
— Monique Batson (@Mo_Bats) November 27, 2019
One chemical which scientists and emergency responders have identified is Butadiene, considered a likely carcinogen to humans.
WATCH: Fire blazes from an industrial plant explosion in Port Neches, Texas pic.twitter.com/C99Squ4Y7h
— Bloomberg TicToc (@TicToc) November 27, 2019
“The refinery had butadiene, one of the constituent ingredients in synthetic rubbers, Branick said, as well as C4, a petrochemical raw material,” according to NBC.
By Tyler Durden | ZeroHedge.com | Republished with permission
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