Explosions, black smoke rising at chemical plant damaged in Hurricane Harvey

WASHINGTON - 31 Aug 2017: A pair of explosions were heard early Thursday morning and black smoke was seen rising from a chemical plant near Houston compromised by flooding from Hurricane Harvey, ABC News quoted officials as saying.

Arkema, Inc., which runs the plant, said in a release they were notified of the explosions by Harris County Emergency Operations at about 2 a.m. CDT.

Harris County police said on Twitter that one deputy was taken to the hospital after inhaling fumes from the plant and nine other officers drove themselves to the hospital as a precaution.

The area around the plant, which produces organic peroxides used in a variety of products, including construction material, had already been evacuated.

Arkema said it was continuing to monitor developments along with local authorities.