“Controlled Exhaust” | Runoff from Shell chemical fire heading to Houston Ship Channel
Officials said they were still monitoring air quality and no harmful levels of the chemicals had been detected.
In a statement released on Sunday morning, Shell said their wastewater storage capacity was “exceeded” and they will be deploying a boom to prevent products from entering the channel.
Water is also being added to nearby retention ponds as officials said they expect they will continue to need large volumes of water to cool equipment for up to 36 hours after the fire is out.
Officials said they were still monitoring air quality and no harmful levels of the chemicals affecting nearby communities have been detected.
The fire at the chemical plant reignited Saturday afternoon after being put out. The fire continued to burn Sunday morning.
Nine contractors were released from hospital Friday night after Shell Deer Park Chemicals said it was exposed to a product during a major plant fire.
The company said the workers were given precautionary treatment. No serious injuries were reported.
A shelter-in-place order was not issued, although the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality was monitoring the air quality near the plant.
Shell released a statement at around 9.20pm on Friday, saying the fire started around 3pm while routine maintenance was underway on the olefin unit.
Harris County Fire Marshal Captain James Singleton said his office will work over the weekend to investigate the incident.
“You’re looking at a large number of people who need to be interviewed,” Singleton said. “Everyone who was in the unit at the time of the fire, controllers, management, anyone who called 911.”
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