Seabrook, Dec 9 (THAINDIAN NEWS) In an incident that is bound to raise the hackles of the environmentalists, there was a large chemical plant explosion near Seabrook early this morning. And it also sadly sent a gigantic plume of smoke into the coastal air. However till reports last came in, no serious injuries or causalities were reported.

The explosion occurred at an American Acryl facility at 11600 Port Road near old Texas 146 about 8:50 a.m., according to the Seabrook Police Department. A short section of Texas 146 near the blast site was closed in both directions, along with Port Road.

Within an hour the brave firefighters put out the fire and to the naked eye, no smoke was visible from the charred wreckage at the plant. However two people went to Memorial Hermann Hospital Southeast complaining of discomfort, said Seabrook police Lt. Sean Wright.

Pasadena city spokesman Richard Scott said a shelter in place warning is in effect for all of Seabrook as well as the El Jardine neighborhood in Passadena. Rosio Torres of Harris County’s emergency management office said that the order had to be given because the chemical plant blast involved toluene, which is a toxic substance that can cause nausea and tiredness in low to moderate levels.

However, in a volte-face a recorded message by the company said that the chemical plant blast did not cause a release of the chemical toluene.