The Arkema chemical plant in Houston is expected to catch fire or explode in the coming days. Due to the heavy rains from Hurricane Harvey the chemical plant at Crosby has lost refrigeration of the chemical compounds that are required to stay cool at all times. The company reported and said there was no possible way of stopping the fire.
Hurricane Harvey has resulted in claiming the lives of nearly 25 people.
The U.S. energy supplies were also affected as the oil companies had to shut off the pipelines.
Before the storm could make landfall on Friday, Arkema chemical plant shut down production. The heavy rainfall flooded the site causing a power cut. The company also informed that the backup generators were also flooded.
The company makes organic peroxides and chemicals that are stored at the plant that can become very dangerous at higher temperatures.
CEO Richard Rower said, “Materials could now explode and cause a subsequent and intense fire.”
He further added, “The high water that exists on site, and the lack of power, leave us with no way to prevent it.”
The company said that the fire will be contained in the premises of the site but for precaution have asked residents of Harris County to evacuate for upto 2.4 km (1 and half miles,) radius of the plant.
