At least two people died tragically this morning, following a massive explosion at the Watson Grinding & Manufacturing plant in northwest Houston, Texas.
While there are also reports of multiple injuries, authorities have yet to release an official count of those hurt in connection with the blast.
Powerful Explosion Appeared on Weather Radar
The January 24th explosion at 4525 Gessner Road erupted shortly before 4:30 a.m., destroying a Watson Grinding warehouse, rocking nearby residents from their sleep, and triggering a fire that continues to smolder at this hour.
“(The explosion) knocked us all out of our bed, it was so strong,” one person told Click2Houston.com. “It busted out every window in our house. It busted everybody’s garage door in around here … and closer toward the explosion over here, it busted people’s roofs in and walls in, and we don’t know what it is … It’s a warzone over here.
According to meteorologist Mike Iscovitz of KRIV, the powerful blast was felt 20 miles away and even appeared on weather radar.
Watson Grinding Explosion Damaged 200 Buildings
Flying debris damaged at least 200 homes and businesses, including some structures that were knocked from their foundations. A nearby strip mall also sustained heavy damage.
Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo confirmed two deaths within hours of the explosion. So far, it’s unclear if the deceased worked at Watson Grinding or lived in the surrounding neighborhood.
Acevedo also asked those living within a half-mile of the blast site to check their yards for debris – including body parts. But do not to touch explosion-related materials and report any findings to police.
Houston Residents Should Avoid Explosion “Hot Zone”
While a mandatory evacuation has not been ordered, authorities have warned residents to avoid a mile-long “hot zone” that borders Genard and Clay roads to the north and south and Gessner Road and Steffani Lane to the east and west. A shelter has been set up at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 4703 Shadowdale Drive for anyone leaving explosion-damaged homes.
The blast has also forced the closure of Bane and Dean elementary schools in the Cy-Fair Independent School District. Students at the district’s other schools will remain indoors today.
All schools in the Spring Branch Independent School District are open, but officials warned students and parents to expect transportation delays.
Leaking Polypropylene Tank Triggered Houston Explosion
Watson Grinding & Manufacturing was founded in 1972. The local, family-owned business manufactures valves and provides thermal-spray coatings for the energy, pipeline, chemical, fertilizer and mining industries.
According to Police Chief Acevedo, this morning’s explosion was likely triggered by a 2,000-gallon tank that had been leaking highly flammable polypropylene.
While that leak is contained, emergency crews have been unable to enter the property because an unspecified gas is flowing into the plant. Efforts are now underway to shut off that gas.
Explosion Investigation Includes Criminal Probe
The Houston Fire Department had opened a criminal investigation into the Watson Grinding explosion, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
“We have no evidence at this point … that an intentional act is involved. Having said that, part of our protocol is always to (start) a criminal investigation” in such a case, Acevedo said.
“It’s going to take days, if not weeks or months, to get a final determination of what’s going on here.”
No significant problems with air quality in the area surrounding the industrial site explosion in northwest part of the city, according to @FireChiefofHFD: Propylene dissipates into the air. Please avoid area due to traffic, debris, @HoustonFire response.
— City of Houston (@HoustonTX) January 24, 2020
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