1 Hurt, 1 Missing in Explosion at Texas Gas Plant

February 11, 2013

Authorities say one person has been injured and one is missing after an explosion at a gas plant in southeast Texas.

One employee remained missing hours after officials in La Porte triggered an automatic phone call to residents Saturday morning indicating the fire was under control and that no shelter-in-place order had been issued.

The Houston Chronicle reports that the explosion happened at the Air Liquide plant. The company’s website describes itself as “the world leader in gases for industry, health and the environment.”

A company spokeswoman says the facility houses a mix of industrial gases such as nitrogen and hydrogen that are used in the processing of food, beverages and electronics.

Authorities say air monitoring shows no dangerous substances.

La Porte is 25 miles southeast of Houston.