Texas Chemical Plant Explosion Leaves 1 Dead, 6 Injured

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An explosion at a Goodyear chemical plant in Houston killed a worker and injured six others on June 11.

The body of the worker, whose name was not released, was found under debris about seven hours after the 7:30 a.m. blast in a heat exchange unit, company spokesman Scott Baughman said.

The explosion also caused a small release of ammonia, which is used to cool processed liquids.

One of the injured workers was being kept at a hospital for observation for breathing ammonia fumes, plant officials said. Five others were treated and released.

Baughman said the damage and ammonia release were contained in a small area of the plant, which makes synthetic rubber for tires.

The plant was evacuated for several hours. About 200 people were there at the time of the blast.

There was no danger to the public, plant officials said.

The cause of the explosion was under investigation.