One dead, 3 injured after blast at KMTEX chem processing plant

31 March 2011 23:34  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS)--An explosion and fire on Thursday afternoon at a chemical processing plant in Port Arthur, Texas, led to one death and sent three employees to local hospitals.

The explosion, which occurred at about 14:15 hours Port Arthur time (19:15 GMT) at a KMTEX plant, was already extinguished when local fire fighters arrived, according to the Port Arthur Fire Department.

The situation did not pose any danger to residents or businesses, the department said after conducting air monitoring.

A nearby bridge to Sabine Pass, Texas, was closed for about two hours following the incident, but has since been re-opened, according to news reports.

According to the KMTEX website, the plant specialises in the custom processing of petrochemicals, specialty chemicals, oleochemicals, agricultural chemicals and food-grade chemicals.

The company’s services include terminal storage and expert project management in materials handling, distillation, filtration, molecular sieve and reaction chemistry, it says.

KMTEX did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

By: Ben DuBose
+1 713 525 2653

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