Republican congressman Ted Poe — whose district includes northern parts of Houston — told CNBC on Thursday that explosions and fires are expected to continue for days at the flooded-out Arkema chemical plant in Crosby, Texas.
Poe said, “The plant has been evacuated as well as about two miles in diameter from the plant.”
The France-based company said further explosions of organic peroxides stored on-site were possible and urged people to stay away as the fire burns itself out.
At an early morning news conference, officials in Harris County — where the plant is located — downplayed the severity of the situation, saying containers under pressure that need to be kept cool popped and started small fires.