Company says gas leak caused explosion at Houston-area plant

HOUSTON — Officials say a gas leak caused an explosion and brief flash fire at a chemical plant near Houston, resulting in non-life threatening injuries to nearly two dozen workers.

Kuraray America says in a news release that ethylene escaping from a safety valve caught fire Saturday at the company’s EVAL plan in Pasadena where 266 workers were on site.

Ethylene is a gas that is not harmful to humans and is used in the production of plastic.

La Porte Emergency Management Lt. John Krueger says the injuries include burns similar to a severe sunburn and back and leg injuries.

The plant’s address is Pasadena, but is located in an unincorporated area between the Houston suburbs.

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Plant manager Eric Bass said the company is working with investigators.

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This version of the story corrects the spelling of the company name to Kuraray America.

The Associated Press