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Flooding, Power Outage Cause Problems At Texas Chemical Plant

Officials in Crosby, Texas, said chemical reactions, not explosions, caused the fire and smoke at the Arkema chemical plant.

Flooding, Power Outage Cause Problems At Texas Chemical Plant
Arkema
SMS

Officials in Crosby, Texas, say reported explosions were actually chemical reactions from a plant that lost power from Harvey.

Authorities said they heard loud "pops" and saw black smoke billowing from the Arkema chemical plant early Thursday morning.

Arkema previously warned the plant could catch fire or explode at some point and that there was no way to prevent it from doing so.

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The plant produces organic peroxides that need refrigeration. Rain from Harvey flooded the facility, and even with backup generators, it lost power.

In anticipation of the chemical reaction, officials evacuated the area around the plant. As of Thursday morning, no word yet on when people will be able to return.