Houston Chemical Plant on Lockdown after Fire Kills One Person, Injures Two

A Houston chemical plant is on lockdown after the facility caught fire, resulting in the death of one person.

As reported by CNN, an employee at KMCO Plant in Crosby Texas, perished in the fire. Preliminary investigation suggests isobutylene was the cause of the fire.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez confirmed that two other people were injured in the blaze and that residents in a one-mile radius had been ordered to take shelter.

An on-scene coordinator with the US Environmental Protection Agency, Matt Loesel explained that they have "not seen any detections at action levels."

Nevertheless, the Crosby Independent School District restricted heating, ventilation, and conditioning systems on all their campuses.

The district confirmed that teachers "have sealed doors where possible as an additional safety precaution." All outdoor activities are also placed on hold for the time being.

Authorities confirmed that the air is clear of hazardous chemicals. It is the second time in three weeks that a Houston-area chemical plant has caught fire.

The KMCO plant northeast of Deer Park, where an Intercontinental Terminals Co. facility is located, caught fire and burned for several days last month.