Chemical Plant Explosion Is Reported in Texas

An explosion at a chemical plant in southeastern Texas early Wednesday turned the night sky orange with fire and was felt miles away, according to witnesses and images posted on social media.

At least two people were taken to hospitals but the extent of their injuries was not immediately known, said Crystal Holmes, a spokeswoman for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Emergency management officials ordered an evacuation within half a mile of the chemical plant, she said.

Multiple videos and images on social media showed large flames reaching into the sky. She could not immediately confirm which plant was on fire, or identify a cause.

“It looks, just visually, about half of the refinery is on fire,” she said.

The explosion was reported in the predawn hours in the Port Neches-Groves area of Texas, which is home to multiple chemical plants. Ms. Holmes said search and rescue crews were going door-to-door in surrounding homes, where some residents reported damage from the blast.

“We’re not quite sure if we have citizens trapped in their houses,” she said.