NATIONAL RESPONSE TEAM

Of The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan

G-OPF 2100 2nd St. S.W., Washington, DC 20593-0001

Chemical Repacking Plant

Occurrence Date:

6 May

Location:

Brazoria County, TX
NRC Report Number:   601497

Source:

Chemical Repacking Plant

Material:

Various Materials

Severity:

Major

Quantity Discharged:

Unknown

Quantity in Water:

Unknown

Body of Water Affected:

None

Federal On-Scene Coordinator:

EPA Region VI
Description:

On May 01, 2002, at 0215 local time, a fire started at a chemical repacking plant in Brazoria County, TX, between Friendswood and Alvin. The following amounts of chemicals are on site in storage tanks and are threatened by the fire: ethylene glycol - 150,000 gallons; petroleum hydrocarbons - 130,000 gallons; glycol ether - 45,000 gallons; Tritetra - 12,000 gallons; propylene glycol - 50,000 gallons; diethylene glycol - 20,000 gallons. The amounts of these materials actually spilled is unknown. The incident was reported by the Friendswood Fire Department, which was on scene. The fire was reported to be out of control, and had spread to an adjacent refinery. The types and amounts of materials at the refinery are unknown. One square mile, downwind from the facility, was evacuated of all people. There were no injuries or fatalities reported. Road 2351, which is not a major artery, is closed in all directions. Local media interest is high. CASE PENDS