BP Amoco Petrochemical Explosion -- Texas City, Texas
The BP Amoco petrochemical plant in Texas City, Texas was the site of an enormous fire and explosion on March 23, 2005. The disaster left 15 people dead and at least 100 injured. Many of those hurt suffered serious burns. The blast and resulting fire destroyed buildings and cars, and sent a plume of black smoke thousands of feet into the air. People living up to 5 miles away reported feeling the explosion, and said that ash and debris rained down on the area. The BP Amoco refinery in Texas City has a history of problems, and was the site of another explosion in 2004.
BP said that this explosion occurred in an isomerisation unit, used to produce octane for gasoline. The Texas City plant is the third largest refinery in the U.S. It employs around 1,800 workers and processes 433,333 barrels of crude oil each day. Public health officials in Texas City expressed concern that the air around the disaster could have been contaminated. They were mainly worried about a chemical called naptha, a solvent used at the plant. Exposure to naptha can cause headaches and nausea. When naptha is burned, it can release carcinogens. If you or a loved one have suffered as a result of the Texas City BP Amoco explosion, you may be entitled to compensation. Please fill out the form at the right for a free case review by a qualified attorney.