Valve Leak Causes Explosion at Port of Brownsville

Flames could be seen from Chemical road off of state highway 48 when a fire ignited at the RTW terminal before 11 AM on Monday.

The Brownsville Fire Department. along with port firefighters battled the blaze for about an hour before extinguishing the flames. It is reported that the fire started from a valve leak which then ignited causing an explosion. Brownsville Fire Chief Lennie Perez says the substance that caught on fire was a fatty oil, clear in color, is not as flammable as other oils, but still managed to catch fire and force the facility to clear out.

Firefighters put out the fire with a combination of foam and water and no injuries to firefighter or staff was reported.