Chemical Plant Explosion & Fire in Shepherd, TX

The small city of Shepherd, Texas was rocked early Wednesday morning, November 8th, by a chemical plant explosion on Farm-to-Market Road 1127. The 7 a.m. blast was quickly followed by a large chemical fire, and its smoke plumes were being pushed north towards the Livingston area by 15-20 mph winds.

At least one person was injured in the explosion. In an effort to minimize further injuries, everyone within a 5-mile radius was quickly ordered to shelter in place; the order was later decreased to a 1-mile radius. A private school near the plant was successfully evacuated in response to the fire.

The chemical plant that suffered the explosion was reportedly a petroleum processing plant, sending unknown chemicals into the air. The nature of the air quality led local officials to urge residents to turn off air conditioning systems until further notice.

Chemical plant explosions can be caused by a myriad of reasons, including inadequate hazard review, poorly designed equipment, or ignored warnings. No matter the cause, the company running the plant has a duty to protect its workers and prioritize safety in the workplace. In the case of the explosion in Shepherd, the cause is still under investigation.

The chemical plant accident attorneys at Arnold & Itkin are following this incident closely; our thoughts go out to those affected.