Petrochemical plant fire update

Fire erupted at a petrochemical plant in the Houston area Friday, leaving five workers hospitalized and sending up a huge plume of smoke visible for miles. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said the fire was at a Shell USA Inc. facility in Deer Park, a suburb east of Houston.

According to an official, the fire was caused by a "heat exchange between two heavy gas oils,” but the fire has since been contained and been diminished. Facility fires are not uncommon in the area, with the strong presence of the petrochemical industry.