Texas Explosion Lawyers
One person was hurt this afternoon when a propane explosion triggered a massive fire at the RapidXchange production facility in Waller County, Texas.
Smoke from RapidXchange Explosion Visible from Katy Freeway
The RapidXchange explosion occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. local time at the company’s propane transfer station located at 30313 FM 529 in Brookshire.
According to media reports, smoke from the resulting fire could be seen on Houston TranStar cameras from the Katy Freeway. Video taken by KHOU-11 also showed hundreds of burning propane tanks and grass fires in the fields surrounding the facility.
Worker Suffered Non-Life-Threatening Injuries
Waller County Emergency Management authorities and mutual aid units, including Harris County Hazardous Materials Response, responded to the blaze. FM 2855 and FM 529 were closed while emergency crews worked to put out the fire, and residents were asked to avoid the area.
All 14 people inside the RapidXchange plant were evacuated.
While initial reports indicated that no one had been hurt in connection with the RapidXchange explosion, it’s since been confirmed that one worker was transferred to a local hospital. Authorities have not disclosed the nature of that person’s injuries, but they have confirmed that they are not life-threatening.
Waller County Under Burn Ban Due to Drought, Heightened Wild Fire Risk
Despite the heavy black smoke pouring into the sky, authorities maintained that the air quality was safe, and people living and working near the RapidXchange plant were not ordered to evacuate or shelter in place.
The grass fire was particularly concerning, as the area is in the midst of a significant drought. In fact, a burn ban is currently in effect for Waller County, which is among the counties impacted by the Governor’s recently announced disaster declaration related to “increasing wildfire danger and ongoing wildfire activity throughout the state.”
Fortunately, fire crews had the blaze under control by 3:30 p.m., and the grass fire encompassing about 30 acres around the facility was completely contained.
North Carolina RapidXchange Explosion Severely Burned 2 Workers
It’s not clear what caused the RapidXchange explosion, but officials have confirmed that the bast erupted as propane was being transferred between bottles.
Today’s incident was not the first involving a RapidXchange facility.
In July 2018, an explosion at the company’s Clinton, North Carolina, cylinder manufacturing plant sent two workers to the hospital with severe burns. Like the Waller County RapidXchange explosion, that blast triggered a massive fire that set nearby fields ablaze.
Undefeated Texas Explosion Lawyers: Call 1-888-603-3636 for a Free Consult.
Our Undefeated Texas Explosion Lawyers are monitoring developments related to the RapidXchange explosion in Waller County and will post an update when new information becomes available.
In addition to being undefeated, our attorneys have won billions — including Record-Breaking Verdicts and Settlements — for thousands of people injured or tragically killed in the worst industrial explosions and disasters in recent history.
If you or someone you love were injured in the RapidXchange propane explosion, please call 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here to send us a confidential email via our “Contact Us” form.