Explosion shakes Phillips plant near Houston

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Mar 27, 2000 - 03:22 PM

Explosion Shakes Phillips Plant Near Houston The Associated Press

PASADENA, Texas (AP) - An explosion Monday rocked a Phillips Petroleum plant near the Houston Ship Channel, causing an undetermined number of injuries and sending a large column of smoke into the air.

Workers in neighboring plants and area residents were urged to remain indoors while officials tried to determine what material was burning. Children in area schools were kept inside after the bell rang for the day.

"The plume appears to be moving upwards," city spokesman David Benson said. "But in case the wind shifts we'd like people in a safe place." E

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGIHSR7JC6C.html

-- - (x@xxx.xom), March 27, 2000

Answers

Explosion Shakes Texas Oil Plant

Story Filed: Monday, March 27, 2000 3:54 PM EST

PASADENA, Texas (AP) -- An explosion Monday rocked a Phillips Petroleum plant near the Houston Ship Channel, causing an undetermined number of injuries and sending a large column of smoke into the air.

Workers in neighboring plants and area residents were urged to remain indoors while officials tried to determine what was burning. Children in area schools were kept inside after the bell rang.

``The plume appears to be moving upwards,'' city spokesman David Benson said. ``But in case the wind shifts we'd like people in a safe place.''

Phillips Petroleum spokesman Norm Berkley said an undetermined number of people were injured. Details on the injuries were not immediately available.

The Phillips complex was the site of a 1989 series of explosions and fires in a polyethylene reactor that killed 23 and injured 130.

Last June, two people were killed and four were injured in an explosion at the complex. Afterward, federal officials fined Phillips $204,000 for 13 alleged safety violations.

http://library.northernlight.com/EC20000327660000043.html?cb=0&dx=1006 &sc=0#doc

-- - (X@xxx.com), March 27, 2000.


March 27, 2000, 2:08PM

Explosion shakes Phillips plant in Pasadena

By MEGAN K. STACK Associated Press Writer

PASADENA -- An explosion today rocked a Phillips Petroleum chemical plant near the Houston Ship Channel, injuring at least 19 people and keeping area residents and schoolchildren indoors.

No fatalities were immediately reported after the 1:25 p.m. CST explosion at the plant's K-resin unit. However, plant spokesman Norm Berkley said an hour after the blast that everyone had not been accounted for.

Twelve injured workers in critical condition were transported, some by helicopter, to Memorial Hermann Hospital in nearby Houston. Some were burned severely, Pasadena Mayor Johnny Isbell said.

Two workers arrived in stable condition at East Houston Regional Medical Center shortly after the blast, hospital spokeswoman Gina Jenkins said. The emergency room was expecting another eight patients.

Five workers, also in stable condition, were being treated at Bayshore Medical Center, spokeswoman Ruth Mische said.

Employees of neighboring plants and area residents were urged to remain indoors while officials tried to determine what was burning. Children in schools downwind were held beyond the closing bell as a precaution.

Isbell said an emergency siren system intended to alert Pasadena residents did not sound because it was under repair today.

Smoke continued to rise two hours after the blast, but the density was diminishing rapidly. Smoke clearly was visible across Houston.

"I was in the main shop area when I heard a loud explosion," said Tim Williams, a plant worker who estimated he was more than 200 yards from the blast site. "My ears hurt, and I took off running. I looked back and saw flames, and kept going."

The Phillips complex was the site of an Oct. 23, 1989, series of explosions and fires in a polyethylene reactor that killed 23 and injured 130 in one of the region's worst industrial calamities.

Last June two people were killed and four were injured in an explosion that also damaged the K-resin unit. K-resin is a clear plastic used in drinking cups, food containers and other items.

Phillips was fined $204,000 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for 13 alleged safety and health violations in the wake of the June 23 explosion and fire.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/breaking/504890

-- - (x@xxx.com), March 27, 2000.


News tonight of 52 people injured.

-- viewer (justp@ssing.by), March 27, 2000.

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