08:08 PM CST on Friday, December 3, 2004
People all over the Houston area reported hearing and feeling the explosion that occurred late Friday afternoon at Marcus Oil & Chemical in the 14000 block of Minetta.
11 News received e-mail from viewers throughout the city who had been surprised by the enormous explosion.
•"We live in Houston House Apartments downtown and all the windows shook when the explosion took place. We're on the 25th floor. Originally we thought it was thunder, but thunder has never shaken the doors and windows like this. Amazing that we're that far away and still felt it," wrote Ken Hansen.
•"Just wanted to let you know that we live in Alvin (20-30 miles away) and FELT the explosion. Our walls shook and we ran outside to see what happened. Then we turned on Channel 11," Christine Chapman wrote.
•"We live in Santa Fe, TX, close to FM 2004 and 146, and we felt the explosion all the way down here. It shook our house and windows. In fact, my husband was asleep in his chair and it woke him up. Since we live relative close to Chocolate Bayou and Texas City, we thought it was one of their plants. Just wanted to let you know the impact of the explosion," Peggy Mote e-mailed.
•"That blast, just before 6, shook my house in Spring Branch. It reminded me of jets breaking the sound barrier back in the 60s," Mickey wrote.
•"We live just off FM 518 at the League City, Friendswood border. I think that's about 25 miles from the explosion. The blast was enough to rattle our front door," wrote John Salmon.
•"Just wanted to let ya'll know we felt that explosion of the plant at approximately 6:00 p.m. this evening. Sonic Boom... house shook, windows shook. We live in Spring Branch north of 1-10 off of Blalock and Westview! We went outside thinking a car had exploded close by or something," Donna wrote.
•"We felt this all the way to Dixie Farm Rd. and 45," wrote Karen Ann.
•"I'm on McIlhenny between Caroline and Austin and my house shook like an earthquake. My wife said the windows at University of St. Thomas shook," e-mailed K. McNamara.
•"Just writing to let you know all of the neighbors on our street heard the blast also. We all live in League City, Texas. Thought it was Thunder but then turned on the TV as it was louder than Thunder and shook the windows of the house. Not sure how far we are from the area but we all heard the big boom," Pat wrote.
•"Just wanted to let you know that the explosion at Fondren and Main was felt in Deer Park. At 5:50 p.m. my house shook and we are in east Deer Park, almost in LaPorte," wrote Cindy Hartman.
•"I live 2 1/2 miles south of Kemah - on Galveston Bay. I felt the explosion that occurred just a little before six o'clock this evening. It shook the house and rattled my windows. Living as close to Texas City as I do, I always look south whenever I feel or hear anything. I was really surprised when I turned on your news to find out it has happened in Houston," Veronica Bishop e-mailed.
•"Hi, my name is Rosie Mendoza. I live in Brazoria County. We heard the explosion from that plant in Houston. We thought it was thunder. I live in Jones Creek, 77541 which is a long way away. I heard what I thought was thunder twice. Oh, we also have a lot of chemical plants around our area. We have a program called CAER which teaches you when there is an explosion, for you to stay in your house and turn off your AC unit. Do not go outside to see. People should not be outside looking and trying to see what going on, because you don't know what you might be inhaling. Thank you," wrote Rosie Mendoza.
WOW! Jones Creek is a LONG way away.. at least 45 miles... maybe more.. must have been pretty powerfull!