LIVINGSTON, Texas — Firefighters have extinguished the massive chemical plant fire at Sound Resource Solutions in Shepherd, emergency officials said Wednesday afternoon.
According to our sister station KHOU11, the fire that followed a big explosion at 8:17 a.m. Wednesday burned for hours. A one-mile shelter-in-place has been lifted but US 59 will remain closed for awhile, according to TxDOT.
Sound Resource Solutions President Geoff Harfield told KHOU11 the explosion was caused by a "forklift incident."
The explosion caused several shelter-in-place orders for neighboring areas like Polk County and Tyler County. People in these areas were asked to shelter in place at this time with windows closed, heat and air off.
According to the Polk County Office of Emergency Management, the shelter order was lifted but people are still being asked to limit all unnecessary outdoor activity at this time. Small children and people with respiratory illnesses and other health problems should stay inside.
HVAC systems can be turned back on at each person's discretion.
School districts will be releasing students at normal time, and the Goodrich students who were evacuated to Onalaska have been released to return to Goodrich, where they may finish their day or be released to go home.
CBS19 will be update this story as more information becomes available.