Two people died after a massive explosion on Friday levelled a warehouse in Houston, damaging nearby buildings and homes and rousing frightened people from their sleep miles away, authorities said.
The explosion happened about 4:30 am inside a building at Watson Grinding and Manufacturing, which makes valves and provides thermal-spray coatings for equipment in various industries, authorities said.
The building was reduced to burning rubble and debris, and some of the surrounding buildings suffered heavy damage to parts of their walls and roofs.
Police Chief Art Acevedo confirmed the deaths Friday. He said authorities don't believe the explosion was intentional though a criminal investigation is underway.
Acevedo asked residents who live nearby to search their homes and neighborhoods for any debris including body parts and to contact police if they find anything that could aid in the investigation.
Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena said hazardous materials crews have secured the valve on a 2,000-gallon (7,571-litre) tank of propylene that had been leaking. Propylene is a colourless gas used to produce chemicals in plastics, synthetic rubber and gasoline.
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It is highly flammable and can explode in a fire. People exposed to propylene can become dizzy and light-headed, and the gas can also cause liver damage.
Nearby homes sustained significant damage. Some were knocked off their foundations.
Danny Wilson, 63, who lives less than a mile from the site, said he was sleeping when his wife woke him up.
"She heard a big noise and the (grandkids) were running out of their rooms," Wilson said. "She said it was some kind of explosion or somebody was trying to get in."