The Latest: Search halts for worker after Texas plant blast

CRESSON, Texas – The Latest on an explosion at a Texas chemical plant that left one worker missing, presumed dead, and two others injured (all times local):

3:30 p.m.

Officials say the search for a missing worker following an explosion at a Texas chemical plant has been halted while crews clean up chemicals that are leaching from the plant.

Hood County Fire Marshal Ray Wilson said Friday that about half of the 15,000-square-foot (1,400-square-meter) Tri-Chem Industries plant has caved in and remains on fire. The plant is in Cresson, 50 miles (80 kilometres) southwest of Dallas.

He says they searched the front half of the building on Thursday and Friday and haven’t found the missing worker, who is presumed dead. He didn’t know when they would resume the search.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Hood County fire marshal’s office haven’t revealed what’s in the plant’s chemical inventory. But Wilson said the plant contains acids that react to heat, pressure and water, which is why they haven’t yet turned on the fire hose.

Although there is a fertilizer plant adjacent to the Tri-Chem plant, Wilson said there’s “no known threat to their facility.”

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9:45 a.m.

Hazardous materials crews have resumed the search for a worker who is missing and presumed dead following an explosion at a Texas chemical plant that injured two co-workers.

Texas Department of Public Safety Staff Sgt. Earl Gillum says recovery crews are using heavy equipment Friday to clear burned debris at the Tri-Chem Industries plant in Cresson, 50 miles (80 kilometres) southwest of Dallas.

Investigators believe a worker dragging his foot along the floor while chemicals were being mixed sparked Thursday’s explosion. That worker is hospitalized with critical burns. Another worker was treated for less severe injuries.

The search resumed Friday for the third worker who Gillum has said is presumed dead.

Gillum says experts determined there are no air quality issues but the site remains dangerous because of the hazardous industrial chemicals.