Gas plant explosion prompts evacuations in Bellville Texas
AUSTIN COUNTY, Texas--Explosions at a gas plant in Bellville Tuesday prompted evacuations of residents and businesses in the area, local officials said.
Smoke and fire could be seen for miles from the Western International Gas plant where a series of early morning explosions were reported. The plant provides bulk industrial gases such as acetylene.
Austin County Sheriff Jack Brandes said mandatory evacuations were ordered for anyone within a 1-mile radius of the plant. A voluntary evacuation was also ordered for anyone within two miles of the plant.
Brandes said the fire was still active hours after the initial incident was reported. Local emergency responders said they did not have a time frame as to when the fire would be out or when a nearby highway would reopen.
There were no reported injuries.
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