Explosion, Fire Rock Petrochemical Plant in Southeastern Texas - Video

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - An explosion at the TPC Group's petrochemical plant in the US state of Texas left three employees injured and the site is engulfed in a massive fire that is still ongoing, the company said on Wednesday. Later that day, county officials ordered the evacuation of a 4-mile radius around the plant following the second blast.

"At approximately 1:00 a.m. today, Wednesday, November 27 [07:00 GMT] an explosion was reported at the TPC Group Port Neches Operations site located at 2102 TX-136 Spur, Port Neches, TX 77561 involving a processing unit," the statement read.

BREAKING: Explosion rocks Jefferson County

An explosion and fire is reported at a Jefferson County plant. pic.twitter.com/WXSlrwmaDZ

— KFDM News (@kfdmnews) 27 ноября 2019 г.

Photo- and video-footage from the scene shows the plant blazing with heavy fire and smoke that can be seen from afar. Cameras, installed at nearby houses, spotted a powerful purple-coloured explosion before the fire broke out. Local residents were advised to evacuate.

"The event is ongoing but will be brought under control as quickly and safely as possible. At this time, personnel at the site have been evacuated. We have accounted for all site personnel and three personnel have sustained injuries and are being treated," the company said.

The TPG Group said it would share further details once available.

​A Facebook statement of the Nederland Volunteer Fire Department says that there's a mandatory evacuation for everyone within a half-mile of the plant. 

According to the website of TPC Group that owns the plant, the company provides a diverse range of quality products to chemical and petroleum-based companies worldwide.