Thousands ordered to shelter in place as chemical leak hits US state
By STACY LIBERATORE FOR DAILYMAIL.COM[1]
Published: 15:58, 20 May 2025 | Updated: 18:17, 20 May 2025
A potentially deadly chemical leak at an industrial park in Texas[2] has prompted a shelter-in-place order for thousands of people.
Sirens began blaring at 9:00am local time at the Olin Plant B in Freeport after chlorine gas spewed from the facility[3].
The Lake Jackson Police Department described it as an active Level 3 chlorine release, meaning the gas had moved beyond the immediate area of the plant.
Breathing in chlorine gas--even in small amounts--can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and may lead to more serious respiratory issues.
At higher concentrations, chlorine gas can cause lung injuries, including pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs), and may be fatal.
Freeport, a city in Brazoria County with a population of over 10,500, issued orders for residents to stay indoors. The directive also applied to schools and nearby communities.
Olin Corporation confirmed that local officials had issued a shelter-in-place order[4] for Clute and Lake Jackson as a precaution.
The leak was contained at 9:46am, though shelter-in-place orders remain in effect, but no other communities will be impacted.
Lake Jackson Police Department has been advised of the active level 3 chlorine release, meaning gas has moved outside the confines of the city
Resident Michael Kelly told local Click2Houston:'It is just part of being here, explosions, gas releases.
'The chemical plants take precaution for this, it is an undesirable situation but it does happen.'
Brazosport Independent School District, located 10 miles from Olin Plant B, was quick to respond to the sirens, ordering all doors to remain closed on campus.
'We will not be releasing students until the All Clear is given by local authorities,' the district stated on Facebook.
'We will provide updates as soon as we receive additional information.'
The City of Freeport Emergency Management Office said it is closely monitoring the situation.
'At this time, there is no immediate threat to the surrounding community,' Freeport officials told KHOU11[5].
Locals in surrounding communities have reported burning sensations in their eyes.
'The smell is so strong all in Clute and lake Jackson. Eyes feeling the burn,' one local posted on X.
'We encourage residents to avoid the area until further notice.'
Freeport, a city in Brazoria County, is home to more than 10,500 people who were told to stay indoors.
The orders have been issued to schools and surrounding communities
Olin Plant B in Freeport is a major part of Dow Texas Operations, a large chemical manufacturing complex.
The facility is a leading North American manufacturer of chlorine, caustic soda, industrial bleach, hydrochloric acid, potassium hydroxide, hydrogen and related products.
These chemicals are important building blocks for plastics, pulp and paper products, soaps and detergents.
They also play an important role in municipal drinking water and wastewater treatment.
Evacuation orders were issued after a pipeline in in La Porte burst into flames in September 2024
The chlorine leak comes just months after another Texas refinery incident that left one person dead.
In October 2024, hydrogen sulfide leaked from a Pemex Plant in Deer Park, with the cities of Pasadena and Deer Park now issuing shelter-in-place orders.
Local residents were told to go indoors, close their windows and doors, and keep their air conditioners turned off until an all-clear is given.
Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas that is none for its strong odor.
It is extremely flammable and highly toxic.
The Pemex refinery is responsible for producing gasoline, aviation fuel, and ship fuel.
It produces 312,500-barrels-per-day.
A month before this incident, evacuation orders were issued after a pipeline in in La Porte burst into flames.
The company that owns the pipe, Energy Transfer, said a vehicle struck a valve at the pipe, which they believe may have caused the fire.
References
- ^ STACY LIBERATORE FOR DAILYMAIL.COM (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Texas (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ gas spewed from the facility (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ local officials had issued a shelter-in-place order (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ KHOU11 (www.khou.com)