HOUSTON, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- A mandatory curfew was issued Wednesday evening within 4 miles (6.4 km) of a chemical plant in the southeastern U.S. state of Texas, where crews continued to respond to massive explosions.
The curfew is to take place from 0400 GMT to 1200 GMT for evacuated neighborhoods, according to Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick, the top county official. Additional law enforcement has been called in to patrol affected areas, in an effort to deter potential looters.
Three people were injured early Wednesday morning in the first blast at a chemical plant owned by TPC Group in Port Neches, about 150 km east of downtown Houston, which led to a nearby neighborhood being evacuated.
TPC Group said there were 30 individuals on site when the first blast occurred and all three of the injured individuals were later allowed home after being treated.
The second evacuation order was issued Wednesday afternoon after another explosion occurred. Smoke plumes resulting from the explosion could be seen from as far away as 80 km by late afternoon.
The blast caused a tower to fall, but there were no reports of major injuries outside the plant.
According to TPC Group, the incident occurred in its south processing unit and involved a tank filled with finished butadiene, a chemical used in the production of synthetic rubber for tires. The cause has not yet been determined.
The company said that it is performing fence line monitoring and is actively working to monitor air quality in the surrounding area.
