I caught a little bit of this on CNN but haven't yet found an on-line source. Will post it (or Mags will!) soon as it appears.

-- Anonymous, November 24, 2001

Answers

Nov. 24, 2001, 1:14AM

Pasadena plant hit by explosions, fire

By ROMA KHANNA Copyright 2001 Houston Chronicle

PASADENA -- Fire erupted at the Crown Central Petroleum plant in Pasadena on Friday after an explosion in a liquefied petroleum gas unit, authorities said.

The initial explosion about 8 p.m. was followed by two others, sending flames as high as a couple hundred feet into the air at the plant at 111 Red Bluff Road.

Police reported one person received minor injuries. The worker was treated and released from Bayshore Medical Center Friday night.

Randy Trembly, executive vice president for Crown Central, said the 155 company employees and contract maintenance workers were accounted for.

Trembly said the unit was being emptied for maintenance when the pump connection came loose, releasing the gas that then ignited.

Flames burned in several towers, and black smoke could be seen as far away as Texas 225.

Plant worker Danny Ameccua was 150 feet from the unit during the first explosion.

"We felt the explosion, ran and got into my truck," said Ameccua, who does insulation work for the plant.

"There were nine of us driving away in my truck when the second explosion happened. We could feel the heat and I thought my windshield would shatter," Ameccua said.

Galena Park police officer C. Pruett said he was told that liquefied gas exploded and there was no danger from breathing it, but that residents, as a normal precaution, were advised to stay indoors and turn off their air conditioners.

All incoming roads to the plant, including Richey and Red Bluff, were shut down.

Residents reported feeling the explosions and heat from the fires six miles from the scene.

"We were driving toward the plant when all of a sudden, flames just mushroomed up," said Eric Walters, who lives at Red Bluff Road and Thomas Avenue in Pasadena, six miles from the plant.

"We were watching television when we felt an explosion, the whole house shook," said Jose Padilla, who lives on Winona, several miles from the plant. "We heard a second explosion and felt heat on our faces."

Gabriel Rocha said the incident reminded him of the fire and explosion at the Phillips Petroleum plant on March 27, 2000.One person was killed and 69 injured in that tragedy.

"We lost two windows in that explosion," Rocha said. "Living here, when you hear an explosion, you know what it means."

The Crown Central plant has a capacity to refine about 100,000 barrels of petroleum a day.

-- Anonymous, November 24, 2001

...reminded him of the fire and explosion at the Phillips Petroleum plant on March 27, 2000

I was thinking that Red Bluff Road sounded familiar.

-- Anonymous, November 24, 2001