Houston flood: Chemicals Released From Arkema Plant

Chemicals have been released into the atmosphere from a flood-damaged plant near the storm-hit US city of Houston, local officials say.

Earlier, two explosions were heard and black smoke was seen issuing from the Arkema chemical plant at Crosby.

A police officer who was helping secure the site was taken to hospital after inhaling fumes, while nine others admitted themselves as a precaution.

Arkema said this was believed to have been caused by a "non-toxic irritant".
Harris County sheriff Ed Gonzales said the release was not believed to have been a result of the explosions.

Residents living within a 1.5-mile (2.4km) radius of the plant were evacuated after the company warned there was a risk of explosions and fire.

During heavy rainfall from Hurricane Harvey, the complex lost the ability to refrigerate chemical compounds that need to be kept cool.

In an earlier statement, Arkema said: "At approximately 2am CDT [07:00 GMT], we were notified by the Harris County Emergency Operations Center of two explosions and black smoke coming from the Arkema Inc plant in Crosby, Texas.

"We want local residents to be aware that product is stored in multiple locations on the site, and a threat of additional explosion remains.

"Please do not return to the area within the evacuation zone until local emergency response authorities announce it is safe to do so."