Explosion at Houston building shakes city, scatters debris

Story has been updated with 2 confirmed fatalities:

HOUSTON (AP) — Two people are confirmed dead after a massive explosion early Friday at a Houston industrial company, the city’s police chief said.

Authorities don’t believe the explosion was intentional though a criminal investigation is underway, according to Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo.

Acevedo asked residents who live nearby to search their homes and neighborhoods for any debris — including body parts — and to contact police if they find anything that could aid in the investigation.

 

Earlier updates on this story:

HOUSTON (AP) — Authorities say one person is missing following a large explosion at an apparent industrial building in Houston.

The blast was reported about 4:30 a.m. Friday at Watson Valve Services on Gessner Road.

It heavily damaged nearby buildings and homes, left rubble scattered in the area and was felt miles away.

The Houston Fire Department says one person was taken to a hospital because of the blast.

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo later said one person was unaccounted for.

A fire burned afterward at the site and people were told to avoid the area. Houston police blocked off streets in the area and checked on residents of nearby homes.

1st update:

HOUSTON (AP) — A large explosion at an apparent industrial building in northwest Houston left rubble scattered in the area, damaged homes and was felt for miles away.

The Houston Fire Department says one person was taken to a hospital because of the blast, which was reported about 4:30 a.m. Friday.

A fire continues to burn and people have been told to avoid the area near the Westbranch neighborhood.

The explosion appeared to be centered on an industrial building.

Houston police tweeted that they were responding and officers were blocking off streets in the area and checking on residents of nearby homes.

Original report:

HOUSTON (AP) — A large explosion at a building in Houston early Friday was felt for miles away and left rubble scattered in the area.

The explosion, in the Westbranch neighborhood on the city’s northwest side, shook other buildings about 4:30 a.m., with reports on Twitter of a boom felt across the city.

Houston police tweeted that they were responding to the explosion and officers were blocking off streets in the area.

There was no immediate confirmation from authorities of injuries, but KTRK-TV interviewed a man who said he saw a bloodied man walking around afterward.

A fire burned following the explosion, and a firefighter asked a TV reporter to move away because of potential hazards.