Deadly Explosion Caused By Over-Pressurized Tank

Jan. 19, 2016
One person was killed and three people were injured.

One person was killed and three people were injured after a chemical tank explosion at a PeroxyChem plant in Pasadena, Texas, on Jan. 16. The company's main product is hydrogen peroxide.

According to officials, plant employees and contractors were conducting a routine function when the contractor's equipment exploded. Police say a rupture caused a spill, exposing at least two people to chemicals. A third person sustained a broken arm.

Company spokeswoman Amie Leopold, in an emailed statement, said that the plant has remained operational since Saturday's explosion. She said officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were "on site" Sunday, according to a Houston Chronicle article.

"We do not have any further updates at this time since this is an active investigation," Leopold said.

Fire officials said Saturday that the explosion was caused by an "over-pressurized tank." PeroxyChem officials said workers were "conducting a routine function" during the explosion.

Read the entire Houston Chronicle article here.

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