Officials seek answers to deadly blast as investigation continues
HOUSTON, Texas -- At least two people are dead after a massive explosion rocked a northwest Houston neighborhood Friday morning, breaking windows, collapsing ceilings and even knocking houses off their foundations up to two miles away.
Officials have identified Gerardo Castorena Sr. and Frank Flores as two victims who were killed in fatal explosions.
What we know about the victims of the Houston explosion
The explosion happened around 4:25 a.m. in the 4500 block of Gessner Road. The origin of the explosion was at Watson Grinding and Manufacturing, a machining and manufacturing company, according to its website.
Houston police say the two victims are likely employees at Watson Grinding.
On Friday evening, a representative of the company gave the following statement:
"Watson Grinding and Manufacturing experienced an incident in the early hours of January 24, 2020 that resulted in the fatalities of two of our employees and impacted our operations.
We are saddened by the tragic passing of our coworkers, and our deepest sympathies are with their families for their profound loss. We are working diligently to address the situation and cooperating with the federal, state and local authorities investigating the accident. We are extremely grateful for the brave efforts of first responders who were on the scene immediately, and we will continue to give our full cooperation and support to their efforts. Our hearts go out to the families and businesses impacted by this incident and to our community. At this time our immediate concern is the safety and wellbeing of everyone in the area and our employees. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available."
-Watson Grinding and Manufacturing
Greg Dillard
Chief Art Acevedo informed the public that the son of Castorena was in the U.S. Marines and sent a plea to community members advising them to reach out to the Marines in order for him to come home immediately. Over twenty-four hours later, the Marines agreed to let the solider travel home to be with his family, according to the military group 'Boots for Troops'.
A man who spoke to ABC13 said his 6-year-old niece was taken to Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital to be checked out. He said her family's house is close to the business that exploded and that his brother told him something fell on the little girl's head. The family is waiting to get more information about her condition.
Fire officials say at least 18 people have visited local emergency rooms, complaining of minor injuries and breathing issues. Witnesses told ABC13 they saw two injured people walk out of the debris field moments after the blast.
The largest debris field and damage is in the area between Gessner and Steffani Lane in the Westbranch neighborhood. As of Friday afternoon, police closed off two nearby neighborhoods - Westbranch and Carverdale - that were impacted by the blast.
Houston Fire Chief Sam Pena said 180 to 190 homes have some damage.
Officials aren't 100 percent sure of the identity of the victims, but they say there is a high probability they are workers because they're the only two people missing and their vehicles were at the location.
Acevedo said families of the two victims have been contacted and he asked that people pray for the families.
Chief Acevedo said residents would be the only people allowed to go back to those neighborhoods. Earlier, he said patrols will be watching the neighborhoods where people left their homes. He warned looters will be charged.
"You will not be given a slap on the wrist. I want you to think back to Hurricane Harvey when we caught someone looting and they were sentenced to 20 years in prison," Acevedo said.
Entire structures were destroyed in the blast. Homes were blown off their foundations in the adjoining neighborhood, authorities said.
Broken windows, doors, and garage doors were also reported across a wide area around the blast site.
As a result of the blast, at least 48 people were directed to a temporary shelter at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Shadowdale Drive, according to the Houston Fire Department.
An overnight shelter was later set up at the Fairbanks United Methodist Church at 14210 Aston St.
Here's how you can help neighbors forced out of their homes by the blast.
WATCH: SkyEye footage shows just how bad explosion damage is
WATCH: Moment of explosion caught on video at Watson Grinding in NW Houston
The ATF was responding to the site, although the Houston Fire Department will remain the lead agency, according to ATF spokesperson Nicole Strong.
The agency later added that its five National Response Teams were sent to Houston, consisting of 30 members who include arson investigators, bomb technicians, scientists, and engineers.
Dogs have been brought in to assist with searching the area.
Firefighters were walking door to door in a neighborhood next to the blast site. Crews were being advised to move away from the area as the response continued.
What we know about propylene
There was no evidence of terrorism or that the cause of the explosion was intentional, according to Acevedo.
The owner of the facility told Eyewitness News the explosion originated from a propylene tank.
Propylene is an extremely flammable gas that is used to make a variety of products.
Two Cy-Fair ISD schools, Bane Elementary School and Dean Middle School, were closed Friday after the explosion. Spring Branch ISD remained open, but will keep students inside due to air quality concerns, according to a statement from school district officials.
"In an abundance of precaution, students will remain indoors at nearby schools due to air quality concerns. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on the website and social media as they become available," Cy-Fair ISD officials told ABC13.
As schools prepare to let out for the day, Cy-Fair ISD officials said that all neighborhoods that were accessible by buses in the morning should be accessible by buses again in the afternoon. They asked parents to be patient as there could be transportation delays. If students are not able to be safely transported home, they will be returned to the campus. Parents will be notified to pick up their children from the campus.
