Pasadena, Texas — A fire that broke out at the INEOS Phenol plant in Harris County, Texas, has been ruled accidental by the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office (HCFMO). The incident occurred when liquified petroleum gas (LPG) was inadvertently released from a tank trailer during an offloading procedure, causing a fire and subsequent explosion.
According to eyewitness accounts, the fire began when a transfer hose became disconnected from the tank trailer, releasing flammable LPG vapors into the air. The vapors ignited, engulfing not only the initial tank trailer but also two other tank trailers at the facility. The explosion, which resulted from the sudden release of LPG, intensified the fire.
Although the damaged tanks will no longer be in use, operations at the INEOS Phenol plant are set to continue. Officials have completed their investigation and reaffirmed that the fire was an unfortunate accident
