Breaking - Explosion Heard in Baytown Bayer Plant

ABC13 ^ | 2/13/04 | Me

[LOC1]

Baytown is 30 miles east of Houston on Interstate 10.

[PurVirgo]

But a noteworthy stop along the shipchannel

[blam]

"Baytown is 30 miles east of Houston on Interstate 10."

Lord, I know where it is. I lived in Bellaire for 20 years. I was trying to make a funny with the original name of Houston...Allen's Landing.

[LOC1]

Local TV channel 24 says no injuries, minor fire, no threat to near-by facilities. This plant is actually in Chambers county, which is east of the city of Baytown and across the Trinity River.

[blam]

"Named for the founders of Houston, the Allen brothers, Allen's Landing Park is situated on Buffalo Bayou at Main Street. This is where the Allen's first set foot in the area that would become the city of Houston and where they built their original trading post. Undertaken as a Bicentennial Project by the city, Allen's Landing is a historical theme park."

[PurVirgo]

WOW! I didn't know that!

[PurVirgo]

I didn't know that. Thanks for the update.

[LOC1]

I was born in "Goose Creek," one of the three towns that were incorporated into Baytown. The other two were "Pelly," and "Old Baytown." The name "Baytown" was selected by Standard Oil of New Jersey when they financed half the investment in the refinery built there in 1919. Apparently, Standard Oil did not think "Goose Creek" sounded acceptable to east coast investors.

[L`enn]

Bayer is a huge plastic resin manufacturer. I believe they are German in origin {ala BASF) and if I remember my days in the injection molding business their HQ in the US was Pittsburgh (Mobay-Bayer).

[blam]

"The name "Baytown" was selected by Standard Oil of New Jersey when they financed half the investment in the refinery built there in 1919. "

Thanks, I didn't know that. (I like knowing stuff like that)

[geopyg]

Glad to hear it was just an accident - and NO injuries. It brings to mind something I heard on the radio several weeks ago once - but never heard anymore of. A guard at one of the big plants - Houston area I think- told a middle-eastern looking guy not to park near the gate - and the guy was videotaping. The guy said he would move. After he didn't, the guard went back to tell him again and the guy shot (and wounded) the guard.

I never heard any more about it. Perhaps the guard shot himself practicing his quick draw and needed a cover story. Anyone hear of this?

[Indie]

Bayer Polymers now produces Mondur® CD isocyanate at its Baytown, Texas, facility.

Isn't this what McDonald's "shakes" are made of?

[PurVirgo]

yes - I heard about that. I don't remember if FR actually had a story on it, but the Houston chatters were talking about it.

[Humidston]

Last I heard, the officials (FBI, I believe) made a comment that they had a video tape of what happened in that area and it did not appear to be connected to the "mysterious Middle Eastern shooter" as the guard claimed.

They said something along the lines that there is no indication of terrorism what so ever.

I suspect the guard made up the story. I also suspect he's downtown in the unemployment line - if he's not in jail!

[geopyg]

I kind of figured as much, and that's why the story went away.........isn't that what the FBI wants???!!!

Tinfoil hat aside, I wonder how much of what we hear is the whole truth? (Other than the media getting the story wrong?) I can imagine the FBI getting the ME guy and questioning him, but in public saying it was nothing so as not to tip their hand. Or perhaps that's only in the movies.

[claudwitz]

Update "The apparent cause of the explosion was an emission of isophr alcohol" no injuries and everyone accounted for link to story: Explosion rocks Bayer chemical plant in Chambers