MASSIVE EXPLOSION AT THE SOUTHCROSS ENERGY NATURAL GAS PLANT IN GREGORY, TEXAS: NO INJURIES REPORTED YET
GREGORY - Billowing
fireballs over the Southcross Energy natural gas plant in Gregory were seen
miles from the site.
San Patricio County Sheriff
Leroy Moody said emergency crews were called to the 5500 block of
Farm-to-Market Road 136 about 6 p.m. for an explosion at the plant, which
processes natural gas.
Fire crews from Ingleside,
Gregory, Aransas Pass and Taft assisted.
Carol Scott, spokeswoman for
the Dallas based company, said no injuries were reported.
William Zagorski Sr., San
Patricio County Emergency Management coordinator, said all pipelines funneling
gas to the plant were shut off after the explosion and the fire was left to
burn on its own, which took about two hours.
The Texas Department of
Transportation shut down State Highway 35 between Aransas Pass and Gregory and
northbound traffic was redirected through Ingleside Tuesday evening, TxDOT
spokesman Rickey Dailey said.
“It’s part of a safety
process to allow emergency crews to work the scene,” Dailey added.
Beyond the Ingleside exit, a
large industrial flare could be seen and a lingering natural gas smell
surrounded the parameter.
Farm-to-Market Road 136,
which is in front of the plant, was closed and State highways 188 and 35 north and
south of FM 136 also were shut down, Dailey said. They reopened about 9:50 p.m.
Moody said the fire may have
been caused by a valve malfunction but Southcross officials said no details
will be released until an investigation is conducted.
Southcross provides natural gas gathering, processing, treating, compression and transportation services in South Texas, Mississippi and Alabama.
Southcross provides natural gas gathering, processing, treating, compression and transportation services in South Texas, Mississippi and Alabama.
