"A mandatory evacuation order issued after a series of explosions at a Texas chemical plant has been lifted, a county official said Friday morning.
Tens of thousands of residents within a 4-mile radius of the TPC Group plant in the small city of Port Neches had been told to leave their homes Wednesday after explosions at the site, which led to fires.
The fires are not extinguished, but they are contained, said Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick, who issued the evacuation order. He previously said the evacuation order would be lifted when the fires were contained, because that would give him confidence that more explosions would not come. The evacuation order covered the cities of Port Neches, Groves, Nederland and part of Port Arthur."
Melissa Alonso and Jason Hanna report for CNN November 29, 2019.
SEE ALSO:
"Refinery Plant Explosion in Texas Raises Questions About Chemical Safety Rules" (NPR)
"Massive Explosion Rips Through Texas Chemical Plant" (NPR)
"Thousands Evacuated in Texas After Explosion at Port Neches Chemical Plant" (New York Times)
"Texas Petroleum Chemical Plant Explosion, And Our Petrochemical “Collective Suicide”" (DeSmog)
Opinion: "With Port Neches Burning, Do We Really Think Gutting The EPA Is Wise?" (Houston Chronicle)
"Houston Company TPC Group Has Long History, Spotty Environmental Record" (Houston Chronicle)
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