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No injuries were reported from a Sept. 5 fire at the pyrolysis gasoline unit at the BASF TotalEnergies Petrochemicals site in Port Arthur.
According to the company’s Community and Government Affairs Manager Shelly Vitanza, the fire happened about 10:45 a.m. More than an hour later, at 11:55 a.m., the pyrolysis tower collapsed and employees not directly involved in resolving the incident were evacuated.
In a statement from Vitanza, she reported that the fire was contained by 1:28 p.m. after emergency personnel responded the incident.
“All employees have been accounted for and there are no injuries,” Vitanza stated. “There is no offsite impact.”
The cause of the incident is currently under investigation.
“BASF regards protection of health, safety and the environment as our most important responsibility,” said Vitanza in a statement. “We care about our employees and we care about our communities. We are committed to operating facilities in a safe and environmentally responsible fashion.”
The Port Arthur Fire Department provided mutual aid.