Explosion leads to fire at AkzoNobel plant in La Porte

An explosion rocked a chemical company in La Porte, creating a massive fireball and smoke that could be seen for miles around. The fire broke out at the AkzoNobel plant in La Porte at about 1pm Monday. Emergency workers responded quickly to the thick black smoke and bright orange flames that billowed out of the AkzoNobel plant. The 80 to 100 employees and contractors were quickly evacuated, but one didn’t escape without injury. Plant officials confirm one contractor was hurt and transported to a local hospital. It’s exactly the kind of scenario that’s on the minds of all plant workers in the area.