Texas chemical plant explosion leaves 1 worker dead, 3 hurt

PASADENA, Texas (AP) — Officials say an explosion at a Houston-area chemical plant has left one worker dead and three hurt.

Pasadena police say the tank accident happened Saturday afternoon at the PeroxyChem Bayport Plant.

A statement from Philadelphia-based PeroxyChem says the workers were doing a routine function when the contractor's equipment exploded.

A contractor died at the scene. Two PeroxyChem employees and another contractor were taken to a hospital. Police say one worker has a broken arm, while the other two were being treated for exposure.

Pasadena police spokesman Vance Mitchell says the tank spill involved about 1,000 gallons of an oil-based cleaning solution. The company didn't immediately identify the chemical or release names of the victims.

PeroxyChem says the accident is under investigation.

Pasadena is 10 miles east of Houston.