A chemical leak containing hydrogen sulfide at the PEMEX refinery in Deer Park, Texas, killed two people and injured at least 35 others Thursday night.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said a group of workers were working on a flange when an unknown accident occurred and gas began leaking.
Deer Park Emergency Management said it was notified of the incident around 5:23 p.m.
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The downtown skyline is photographed as the sun rises in Houston, Texas on August 25, 2018. (Lauren Elliott/Getty Images)
Gonzalez estimated it would take investigators seven to eight hours to reach the location where the incident occurred.
After the leak, PEMEX said it was conducting work that could cause a flare.
PEMEX said in a statement that the refinery's 92,000 barrel-per-day coker and hydrotreater were shut down after releases began.
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Deer Park has lifted its shelter-in-place order, according to a statement from the Deer Park Emergency Management Agency.
Harris County Pollution Control, Harris County Hazardous Materials Control, and CTEH report there are no hazardous chemicals in the area.
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deer park He said he was aware of the smell but wanted to reassure local residents that there was no danger to the community.
“The Harris County Sheriff's Office reports that 35 PEMEX employees have been triaged and two have been confirmed deceased. The majority of mutual aid resources have been released and HCSO continues the investigation. ” he said.
