A hydrochloric acid leak at the Texas City port has prompted officials to issue a citywide shelter-in-place.
TEXAS CITY, TX (KTRK) --
Residents in Texas City are being asked to shelter in place because of a hydrochloric acid leak at the city's docks.
The incident happened at the Dallas Group of America in the 300 block of Dock Road. Texas City's emergency manager Bruce Clawson says there's been a hydrochloric acid leak from a tank in the port area, but so far, no injuries were reported.
Hydrochloric acid is a widely used strong corrosive irritating acid that is normally present in dilute form in gastric juice, according to Merriam-Webster.
The leak created a cloud that's now traveling over parts of the city, prompting officials to enforce a Level 3 shelter in place. Right now, ABC13's AccuWeather forecast shows winds in Texas City are blowing from the southeast at 15 miles per hour.
According to the city's emergency management website, a Level 3 emergency means:
-
"An incident has occurred the situation is not under control and
protective action may be necessary for the surrounding or offsite area.
Additional IMAS aid may be needed. The EOC is activated, the Siren
warning is given to the Public, Channel 16 and Radio Station 530 AM are
constantly updated informing the Public of the status of the incident.
You may also want to use any major television station in the Houston
area for updates. The situation is often fluid and up-to-date
information can be obtained by using these stations as they often have
live broadcasts of the event."
The Dallas Group is a producer of adsorbent synthetic magnesium silicate and the only North American-based manufacturer of ammonium chloride, according to the company's website.
No other details were immediately available.
Stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for the latest details.
(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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