Officials say they’re still working to identify what hazardous materials were released into the air during a warehouse complex fire in Houston but think pesticides might have been involved.
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However, the waters in the creeks and bayous nearby remained high because of recent heavy rains and floods, and officials expected that will help dilute the pesticides and minimize their effects, fire officials said.
Dark smoke could be seen billowing into the sky for miles.
Houston officials believed there was ammunition and chemicals with a possibility of igniting and exploding at the scene, where about 175 firefighters were dispatched.
The blaze spread to the nearby warehouse complex, engulfing several businesses there in flames, including Custom Packaging and Filling.
Multiple witnesses tell KHOU 11 News the fire started behind nearby homes, including one that was being used as an auto fix shop.
The cause of the initial fire remains unclear.
Felipe, who lives nearby, said crews started evacuating his neighborhood. No injuries were immediately reported. The cause of the blaze was under investigation.
The school is located less than a half of mile away from where a four-alarm fire erupted at a warehouse on Laverne just before 10 a.m.
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The fire department ordered neighbors to shelter in place, urging them to close windows, doors and vents; turn off air conditioning and heating systems; retreat to an interior room and seal the doorway with plastic or duct tape.
