2nd Evacuation Order Lifted In Tex. City Hit By Blast, Chemical Fire

"HOUSTON - Authorities on Thursday lifted a second evacuation order in a week for thousands of people in a Texas city as U.S. safety officials began examining what caused the latest in a series of chemical plant fires in the state.

The about 14,000 residents of Port Neches 95 miles (153 km) east of Houston were told to flee late on Wednesday when air monitors detected high levels of cancer causing petrochemicals butane and butadiene following an explosion last week.

Butadiene is the main product of the TPC Group’s facility in the city struck by last week’s blast and fire, which injured three workers and prompted an initial, two-day evacuation."

Erwin Seba reports for Reuters December 5, 2019.

Source: Reuters, 12/06/2019