Texas plant fire smolders; 1,000 residents displaced
By The Associated Press
This article was originally published July 31, 2009 at 7:16 a.m. Updated July 31, 2009 at 8:06 a.m.
PHOTO BY AP
Plumes of smoke from a burning chemical plant fill the sky as emergency workers form a roadblock west of Bryan, Texas, Thursday.
BRYANT — BRYAN, Texas - Officials believe a welding job likely sparked a fire at a central Texas chemical plant that forced thousands of people from their homes and closed Texas A&M University's main campus.
John Salsman with Brazos County emergency management said Friday the investigation is continuing but "the best information we have" indicates the blaze started during a welding job.
Salsman says fewer than 1,000 people were out of their homes Friday as the El Dorado Chemical Co. plant continued smoldering. He says authorities hope to get the remaining residents home soon.
According to Texas A&M's Web site, the campus would reopen Friday.
The fire began midday Thursday at the plant in Bryan, about 100 miles north of Houston.
Salsman says at least 34 people were treated for injuries.
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