Hurricane Harvey: Chemical 'Release' At Plant Struck By Storm Sends 10 Deputies To Hospital (Updated)

CROSBY, TX — A fire at a Crosby, Texas, chemical plant burned out around midday Thursday after about 2 tons of highly volatile chemicals exploded, sending 10 sending 10 deputies to the hospital after they had inhaled smoke from the incident, officials said. Fires erupted in the early morning hours following chemical release at a flooded-out chemical plant near Houston,

Initial reports suggested there had been an explosion at the Arkema Chemical Plant, but Sheriff Ed Gonzalez later said that did not appear to be the case. The sheriff said nine of the deputies had been able to drive themselves to the hospital even after being overcome with smoke exhaust.

Harris County said on Twitter that company officials said the release was believed to be of a "non-toxic irritant."

"At this time, we are responding to a fire, not a chemical release," officials stressed. "Our focus remains on the safety of those around the facility, and we urge everyone in the area to follow the safety instructions of local authorities, specifically avoiding smoke and flood waters."

The agencies noted they are continuing their monitoring smoke and air quality, as well as the potential for additional fires in the area. The use of "aerial assets" are ready to be deployed should any more fires erupt, officials said.

"We are all working together to ensure we have the right number, and the right people on the scene," officials said.

Officials offered tips for members of the public near the plant: "As with all smoke, people can limit the potential for adverse health effects by limiting their exposure," officials advised. "This includes staying indoors with doors and windows closed and running the air conditioning (if possible) with the fresh intake closed.

"If it is absolutely necessary to be outdoors, try to move out of the plume of smoke and minimize heavy work, exercise or children's playtime," officials said. "Federal and state mobile command is currently about 200 people, who are working elbow-to-elbow, starting in Corpus Christi and moving east with primary responsibility of the health and safety of those affected by Hurricane Harvey."

The plant has been a concern for several days, with fears it was more than likely to catch fire and explode in the coming days. Adding to those fears is that company officials are powerless to prevent the blast given all personnel had to evacuate from the plant.

In a statement, the Arkema Group plant in Crosby, Texas, about 20 miles northeast of Houston, was flooded by more than 40 inches of rain from Hurricane Harvey and has been without power since Sunday. Officials of the Colombes, France-based company said precautionary measures were implemented prior to Hurricane Harvey's arrival but company officials — like most everybody else in the region — never thought the flooding would reach such epic proportions.

Watch: Flooding, Power Outage Cause Problems At Texas Chemical Plant

"The site anticipated the storm, and safely shut down all operations before hurricane landfall," company officials said, referencing the plant shut-down last Friday. "The facility has had extraordinary levels of rain, receiving approximately 40 inches by Monday afternoon. The site has been heavily flooded and without electric service since early Sunday morning. Back-up generators have largely been inundated with water. A small ride-out crew of eleven people had remained on site for some days."

The plant operated by one of the world's largest chemical companies churns out organic peroxides commonly used in everyday household products such as kitchen counter tops, industrial paints, polystyrene cups and plates and PVC piping. These materials require cool temperatures but plant refrigerators are out commission, with backup generators also shut down.

The upshot: "The potential for a chemical reaction leading to a fire and/or explosion within the site confines is real," company officials said. In essence, it's not a matter if the plant will explode into flames, but when.

In preparation, residents within 1-1/2 miles of the plant were reportedly evacuated from the area, and air traffic has been banned from the area. Company officials said they were in constant contact with emergency officials in keeping them apprised.

"As of late this afternoon, the situation at the Crosby site had become serious," company officials said Wednesday. "In order to ensure the safety of our ride-out team, all personnel have been evacuated from the site at this time. We are working with the Department of Homeland Security and the State of Texas to set up a command post in a suitable location near our site. We also have been in contact with other regulatory authorities, who are aware of this situation."

Given the situation, no one is able to get near the plant — now essentially transformed into a powder keg.

"At this time, refrigeration on some of our back-up product storage containers has been compromised due to extremely high water, rising to levels that are unprecedented in the Crosby area," company officials said. "Arkema is limited in what it can do to address the site conditions until the storm abates. We are monitoring the temperature of each refrigeration container remotely."

Amid such uncertainty, one result is a foregone conclusion: "At this time, while we do not believe there is any imminent danger, the potential for a chemical reaction leading to a fire and/or explosion within the site confines is real," company officials said.

The potential explosion sends shivers down the collective spine of Texans still vividly remembering the fertilizer plant explosion in the Central Texas town of West — some 120 miles north of Austin — that killed 15 people in 2013. The ammonium nitrate explosion at that incident left a crater about 90 feet in diameter and decimated several surrounding buildings — including a middle school and a 50-unit, two-story apartment complex.

Officials at the plant near Crosby are hopeful the all-but-inevitable explosion at their plant won't result in similar damage given the evacuations and advance warning of a coming conflagration once the flooded plant was evacuated.

Homeland Security and Emergency Management officials stressed the importance of having access to potable water in light of current Harvey-related developments, including the simmering chemical plant.

"As we continue to respond to this natural disaster and its devastating effects on the people of Texas, the biggest threat to public health at this time is ensuring they have access to safe drinking water and ensuring waste water systems are being monitored, tested for safety and managed appropriately," officials said.

The town of Crosby has a population of some 2,295 residents.

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