Several workers injured in explosion and fire at Texas plastics plant
06 May 2013
On May 2 an explosion and fire at the Formosa Plastics Corporation in Point Comfort resulted in sixteen injured being taken to nearby medical centres, with one worker reportedly sustaining critical injuries. According to a Formosa spokesman, the incident affected the Polyethylene 1 production unit, which is closed.
The two other polyethylene units have been idled, circulating solvents to stay warm but not producing any product.
The 1,600 acre Formosa site in Point Comfort is a supplier of plastic resins and petrochemicals, and has thirteen production units. The rest of the site remained functional during the fire, and continues to function normally.
Point Comfort is located about 125 miles southwest of Houston on the Gulf coast. There is no information on the cause of the fire.
A fire in the Olefins II unit at the Point Comfort plant burned for five days and injured a number of staff in October 2005.