Texas Chemical Plant Secured After Post-Hurricane Harvey Blazes
- Residents allowed to return to their homes in Crosby
- French owner Arkema deliberately burned volatile peroxides
A roadblock near the Arkema Group plant Aug. 31.
Photographer: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Authorities are allowing residents living near a burned and flooded Texas chemical plant to return to their homes after the French owner deliberately set fire to the last remaining containers of volatile products in a bid to secure the site.
The fire department in Crosby, Texas, said the area around the Arkema SA manufacturing site, located about 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of downtown Houston, is safe after the company burnt stored organic peroxides in a “controlled ignition,” according to a company statement on Monday. All nine tractor-trailer sized containers of the chemicals have now been destroyed, a spokeswoman said.