LA PORTE, TX – Two people were killed and dozens more were hospitalized following a chemical leak at a LyondellBasell Industries facility in southeastern Harris County yesterday evening.

Click2Houston reports that emergency crews were called to the chemical plant, located 1515 Miller Cut-Off Road, shortly after 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 27.

Two people died at the scene, seven were injured, and 30 were hospitalized over unspecified concerns, in what EMS described as a “mass casualty event.”

Authorities say that the leak happened in the facility’s acetyls unit, which was at least partly shut down for maintenance at the time. About 100,000 pounds of glacial acetic acid was released during the leak, which was quickly stopped and is believed to have been contained on the site.

Glacial acetic acid is used in a wide range of industrial applications, with downstream products ranging from film and tapes to inks and cosmetics.

Investigations are ongoing, and further blog posts about the matter are likely forthcoming.

This blog post is part of a series that Kherkher Garcia provides for the benefit of our neighbors across the Houston area. It is meant to keep our community informed about recent workplace accidents, and should not be construed as legal advice. However, if you or someone you love has been injured on the job, we would like to hear from you at your earliest convenience. Contact us today, online or by calling (713) 231-5640, to speak with an experienced Houston explosions lawyer at absolutely no cost to you.