1 killed in chemical plant fire in U.S. state Texas

The fire at a chemical plant in the U.S. state of Texas has been contained, leaving one person killed and two others critically injured, local authorities said on Tuesday.

Harris County Fire Marshal's Office Spokeswoman Rachel Moreno said responders are working to prevent it from spreading to nearby tanks at a KMCO plant in Crosby, about 40 km northeast of Houston.

According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, the two injured have been rushed to hospital and some facilities including park, sports complex and community center were temporarily closed.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Houston Region Office has dispatched emergency response personnel to conduct an initial assessment of the fire.

The KMCO earlier confirmed in a statement that "there have been injuries and one fatality."

Local police said that a shelter-in-place order has been issued for residents who live within a one-mile (1.6 km) radius of the plant, but it has been lifted later.

Following the eruption of blaze, Houston Independent School District issued a statement, cancelling all outdoor activities at campuses in the east and north areas of the district.

According to local police, a chemical called isobutylene caused the fire, which is a highly flammable colorless gas with a faint petroleum-like odor and it is a gas at room temperature.

Inhalation of moderate concentrations of Isobutylene may cause dizziness, drowsiness, and unconsciousness. Contact with eyes or skin may cause irritation and the liquid may cause frostbite.

The KMCO plant is owned by the specialty chemical company KMCO LLC, a subsidiary of an Austin private investment firm. The plant produces coolant and brake fluid products for the automotive industry, as well as chemicals for the oilfield industry, according to a company press release.

Tuesday's fire was the second at a chemical plant in the Houston area within three weeks.

Over two weeks ago, a heavy fire erupted at the Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC) Deer Park, about 40 km southeast of downtown Houston. No serious injuries were reported.