Crews worked to contain a chemical leak after a busted valve on a barge triggered an incident at a Targa Resources dock along the Houston Ship Channel Tuesday afternoon. The leak, reported around 4 p.m. at 12510 American Petroleum Road, involved butadiene, a colorless flammable gas used in industrial processes. Targa Resources says activity may be noticeable to the public, but there’s no threat to the community.
Harris County officials confirm there’s no need for a shelter-in-place order and no injuries have been reported. Air quality is being monitored by Pollution Control, and Port Houston EMS responded with a fireboat to assist at the scene. The barge owner, Kirby Inland Marine, is working with the Coast Guard to investigate what led to the valve failure.
The City of Galena Park says its fire department is monitoring the situation closely, and updates will be provided as needed. Targa Resources is coordinating with local emergency management to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. So far, officials say the leak has not had any off-site impact.