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(CNN) - An explosion shook a plant in Texas early Wednesday, exploded the windows of nearby houses and threw columns of orange flames into the sky.
The explosion occurred at the TPC plant that manufactures products for chemical and oil companies, said KFDM / KBTV, a CNN affiliate.
A mandatory evacuation has been issued for everyone less than 8 km from the plant, the Nederland Volunteer Fire Department said in a Facebook post. He said the evacuation area could change or expand.
Tyler Shawn Dunlap said he was sleeping when the explosion shook his house.
“I listened and felt that my house was shaking. First I thought there were people trying to get in because of our intense security, so I was afraid to call 911, ”he said.
"I went to Dad's room and thought our generator had exploded, so we checked and then I noticed an orange glow from the clouds."
Trent Lee said the explosion sounded like a nuclear bomb and shook everything in Port Neches.
Port Neches is about 160 kms from Houston.
TPC Group offers a wide range of products to chemical and oil companies around the world.
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"Our employees are committed to making these products safely in a way that protects our environment and respects the communities where we operate," he says on his website.
CNN has contacted the company.
In South Carolina, officials are working to control a leak and a fire at Lanxess in Charleston, the Fire Department said. The fire then died out.
News in development.
CNN's Gianluca Mezzofiore contributed to this report.
Explosion