HCSO: 1 dead, many injured after Shell Pemex facility chemical release in Deer Park

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KIAH) — Pasadena and Deer Park residents are urged to shelter in place at this hour after a deadly chemical release at the Shell Pemex facility at 5900 Hwy 225 around 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

East Harris County residents are on high alert at this hour after that chemical release at the SHELL PEMEX Facility in Deer Park which is impacting an extended area including Pasadena. Many emergency units are on-site where emergency staging plans are happening now in response to the chemical release.

Hwy 225 in La Porte is closed at this hour and could be closed for several hours as more emergency units from as far as Channelview respond to the scene where about 1,500 workers are employed.

Earlier around 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez took to platform “X” to share updates and critical warnings for area residents.

Due to a Hydrogen Sulfide release at the SHELL PEMEX Facility in Deer Park, the Pasadena Fire Department has issued a SHELTER-IN-PLACE for ALL AREAS NORTH OF SPENCER HIGHWAY IN PASADENA CITY LIMITS. If you are in this area, please go inside, close all windows and doors and turn off the air-conditioner until an all-clear is given via the ReadyPasadena Alert System and social media.

Ed Gonzalez

At 6:30 p.m., Deer Park issued a shelter-in-place for the north side of the city from State Highway 225 to X Street due to an incident at PEMEX. State Highway 225 is also shut down.

Another shelter-in-place was issued for Pasadena but was lifted after almost two hours after the air was tested.

What is Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S)?

CW39 TV partner KTRK is reporting that the Deer Park OEM is having some difficulty informing all area residents, so if you have loved ones in the area, you are advised to call or text them about the current alert.

Watch AT 9 p.m. for updates on CW39 HOUSTON on this developing story.

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