Simon Valeriano Raudales, a west Houston resident got cut after a massive explosion blew the window in the room he was staying at on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020, in Houston. However, these valves were no longer mandatory in 1978, although they previously were. A hazardous materials team has … Broken windows and collapsed garage doors are shown at the home nextdoor. Categories. With a flash point of 162 degrees Fahrenheit, propylene is highly flammable and can “react vigorously with other materials to produce explosive mixtures,” according to a ChevronPhillips fact sheet. January 30, 2020 An updated assessment of the impact of a massive explosion … Some of the cars derailed in an accordion effect, piercing a propylene tanker that leaked part of its flammable cargo. Gas cylinders, rocketing from a fire, endanger a St. Louis neighborhood. The headspace allows the propane to expand and contract with normal temperature changes, without creating excessive pressures. Maria Olivo, a west Houston resident got cut after a massive explosion blew the window in the room she was sleeping in on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020, in Houston. Peña said an explosion happend around 4:30 a.m. at the warehouse of Watson Grinding & Manufacturing Co. Victor Vazquez boards up a window at his home on Sunwood located west of Watson Grinding and Manufacturing, 4525 Gessner Rd., where an explosion occurred Friday, January 24, 2020 in Houston. Propylene is a gas at room temperature but becomes a liquid when placed under great pressure. Screencapture Via KPRC . In the first 45 minutes after the disaster, the wounded were removed in an uncoordinated fashion with the help of other survivors using their own cars and vans. The burning tanker blocked the road, dividing the injured into two groups, one being taken northwards and the other southwards. THE NEWS YOU NEED: Sign up for free newsletters and get the best of the Houston Chronicle delivered to your inbox. The men had come to the shop before their shifts started to … [citation needed] The N-340 was much narrower and more winding than the A-7, and also carried drivers directly through several densely populated areas. The owner of the facility told Eyewitness News the explosion originated from a propylene tank. Enpetrol initially declined any responsibility, claiming that the delivery of the cargo was the carrier's responsibility, and they had not received any complaint.[9]. ... electrostatic charges resulting in fire and/or explosion. ... Failed to maintain propylene tanks to prevent leaks. Photo: Marie D. De Jesús/Staff photographer. Maria Giraldo, from left, sister Candy Salazar, brother-in-law Jesus Morales and husband Mario Giraldo try to look at the chemical explosion site from a neighbor's fence at Talina Way Friday, Jan. 24, 2020, Spring Branch North neighborhood in Houston. If you must transport a propane tank, minimize the time it is stored in the trunk of your car. An electrical system ignition most likely caused the explosion. Houston Fire Department firefighters make their way through debris near the site of an explosion at Watson Grinding and Manufacturing on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. Propane (/ ˈ p r oʊ p eɪ n /) is a three-carbon alkane with the molecular formula C 3 H 8.It is a gas at standard temperature and pressure, but compressible to a transportable liquid.A by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining, it is commonly used as a fuel in domestic and industrial applications and in low-emissions public transportation. This page was last edited on 29 December 2020, at 17:58. Most of the victims were vacationers (both Spanish and foreign tourists) in the Los Alfaques seaside campsite. There was no DNA test available at that time. What Is Propylene? NORWALK — A leaking underground propane tank caused the powerful explosion at 10 Deepwood Lane on Wednesday, Norwalk Fire Marshal Broderick Sawyer said. The cause is under investigation. Rescue crews fanned out to examine nearly 200 homes. (2ª parte). Pressures may build to dangerous levels if liquid propylene contacts water in a closed container. The tank container was manufactured on 13 December 1973 by a workshop from Bilbao,[10] and at that time it did not meet the requirements for carrying flammable liquids, since it lacked emergency pressure release valves. The blast is believed to have originated from a leak in a propylene tank, and it shattered windows, knocked homes off of their foundations and was felt miles away. Liquid propylene tank truck crash explosion kills 12, Martelange, Belgium, 1967. The Tarragona facility lacked either a meter to measure the amount of gas dispensed or an automatic shut-off device to prevent overfilling, and consequently most tanks were consistently overloaded. Houston Fire Chief Peña said an explosion happend around 4:30 a.m. at the warehouse of Watson Grinding & Manufacturing Co. on the 4500 block of Gessner Road. Ambulances and other emergency forces gradually arrived. Safety Tips To avoid a propane explosion accident, observe the following safety tips when handling, using or storing propane tanks: Always use propane in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors. It has been renovated since and still exists today. Flow, agitation, low humidity and other factors may generate electrostatic charges resulting in fire and/or explosion. The door blew off the hinges, most of the windows were broken and walls cracked from the explosion. Event details. Colchado was asleep when it happened and the fallen sheetrock hit his leg, which was still sore at mid-morning. [13] The trial was dismissed, with the plaintiffs being informed that they would need to pursue a U.S. lawsuit against Google. Propylene is fast-evaporating and the Houston Fire Department assured local residents that there was no dangerous gas in the air. To avoid a propane explosion accident, observe the following safety tips when handling, using or storing propane tanks: Always use propane in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors. The owner of the facility told Eyewitness News the explosion originated from a propylene tank. 217 people died as a result of the disaster, while the total number of people who died over the following months as a result of their injuries was at least 270. Out of control, he crashes into the column of the bridge, in the middle of the village. 11 de Julio de 1978. An explosion occurred when propylene oxide was added to an epoxy resin. Many of the victims were burned beyond recognition. Neighbors at Talina Way are packing up and get ready to leave after their houses are damaged by a chemical explosion Friday, Jan. 24, 2020, Spring Branch North neighborhood in Houston. Exclusive drone video of explosion at Watson Grinding and Manufacturing in Houston, Doorbell camera of West Houston explosion, Industrial Building Explosion in Houston Damages Homes, Residents react to a Friday morning explosion at a west Houston warehouse, What we know about the company at the center of the West Houston explosion, according to a ChevronPhillips fact sheet, 2 killed, 200 homes damaged in massive west Houston explosion, The cleanest fossil fuel is set for a post-pandemic rebound, LNG surges to 6-year high with cold snap in importing nations, Texas Railroad Commission barred from waiving environmental rules, Texas woman arrested on election fraud charges based on Project Veritas video, Houston police officer resigns after being linked to Capitol takeover, Solomon: Deshaun Watson won’t ask for a trade but Texans need to apologize, Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell gets six years in prison for fraud scheme involving worthless Chinese bonds, 'I shouldn't have done it': Houston cop may face charges after entering Capitol during riot, Most Houston MLK events to be held virtually or canceled due COVID-19 pandemic, Harris County Jail population again at dangerous levels, Pair of UH cadets to join the US Space Force, Houston police officer resigns after being linked to Capitol riot, Man visiting woman in Baytown shot by woman's ex-boyfriend, Blue Origin launched its vehicle from West Texas Thursday morning, COVID live updates: More than 14,000 Texans hospitalized, Man fatally shot in Spring neighborhood in apparently targeted attack. Additionally, 34 vehicles and 21 tents were charred, a restaurant partially collapsed, and the tanker truck was broken into three main pieces.[2]. Officials said a small propane tank exploded. Sergio Chapa covers the oil & gas industry for the Houston Chronicle and writes for Texas Inc., a weekly Monday insert dedicated to covering the most powerful business leaders in Texas. Houston Fire Chief Peña said an explosion happend around 4:30 a.m. at the warehouse of Watson Grinding & Manufacturing Co. on the 4500 block of Gessner Road. Interior and exterior of a home on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020, in Houston after a massive explosion on Friday morning. Pictured here is a tank that was involved in a grass fire. Dangers of Propylene Cylinders. Houston fire officials said propylene tanks still at the machine shop were intact and stable Friday afternoon. Photo: Godofredo A. Vásquez, Staff photographer/Houston Chronicle. THE LATEST: 2 killed, 200 homes damaged in massive west Houston explosion. Impact with a propane tank, like an explosion, can cause serious injury or death. This can be avoided with basic safety precautions. The bodies of a French family, consisting of a couple and their two children, were returned to France some years later, after compensation had been settled. By only allowing the tank to be 80% full, there is adequate room left in the tank, called headspace. In most cases no medical steps of any importance were taken during the journey. The accident is featured in the 2007 German film Day of Disaster, directed by Peter Keglevic. Propylene is an extremely flammable gas that is used to make a variety of products. Browse By. Propylene is … After the tragedy, the transit of populated areas by vehicles carrying dangerous cargo was prohibited in Spain, and would only be driven at night. The explosion occurred in a utility area set apart from the main production operations of the 514-acre plant, said J. J. 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