ODESSA, Texas — UPDATE:
As of 6 p.m., the City of Odessa say Odessa Fire Rescue and local volunteer fire departments are continuing to battle the fire that broke out at Permian Basin Containers, located at 8100 N. West County Road.
Oncor is currently working to restore power to residents east of the fire. In addition the Red Cross and Emergency Management are preparing a plan just in case a temporary shelter is necessary.
Residents east of Erron Avenue can return to their homes, while those west cannot. Evacuation has also been lifted for everyone except 800 and 802 W 81st.
Once the fire is extinguished completely, the Fire Marshal's Office will investigate the cause.
Anyone needing temporary shelter should contact 1800 Red Cross.
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At 8:35 a.m., The Ector County Sherrif's Office posted this statement on their Facebook page,
Please share and call your people affected.
There is a very large oilfield fire in the area of 81st and West County Road. At this time we do know know what chemicals are burning and we do not know what hazards are in the air. Our units are going around requesting people in the area to please leave the area until the fire is out. If you are in this area, please leave. If you know people in the area, please let them know that we are asking them to leave the area. We are on scene and will not monitor this post for questions. If you need help call 432-335-3050 or 911 for an emergency.
The City of Odessa stated that the fire occurred at Permian Basin Containers, further adding that that no hazardous fumes are present and that Odessa Fire Rescue has successfully contained the fire. It was also noted that OFR is in the final stages of extinguishing the flames.
Tuesday morning included a scary scene in Odessa and northwest Ector County.
“This is the worst, worst incident that I’ve seen," said Mark Rodriguez, a nearby resident and lifelong Odessan.
The explosive fire called many into action.
“One of those squares – it's the square plastic containers with aluminum cage around them -- sometimes they carry water, sometimes they carry soap, detergents, chemicals for the oilfield, and then one of those popped and it bounced on the other one, 'pop, pop', it was like the Fourth of July," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez watched OFR crews battle the blaze throughout the morning.
The City of Odessa says firefighters on scene noted that buildings on the property had burned, as well as an RV and a couple of mobile homes that were right next to it.
As plenty of smoke poured into the air from the plastic and chemical fire, concerns of air quality were monitored.
“Fortunately, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality – TCEQ – has been out there and taking readings of the air, and we have not seen any elevated levels of benzene or any of the other concerning chemicals," said Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett. "So, right now it’s not of any hazardous nature.”
OFR crews got things under control after hours of dumping water from overhead during flare-ups.
“We fly drones [and] we’re able to see hotspots without putting people in danger," said Odessa Mayor Javier Joven. "As we fly them around, we’re able to look and survey the entire scene and assist these guys in the ladder truck on where to put the hotspots and to be able to reduce the amount that this fire will keep going. So, it is a really great investment that the city has done into investing into safety and life and health of our firefighters.”
It was a morning that some won’t forget.
“Just when you thought it was chilling out, 'boom!'" Rodriguez exclaimed. "You’d get a big explosion and those crates started falling on other one, it was intense man, very intense.”
No injuries have been reported and investigators are actively working to determine the cause of how the fire started.
When asked how long it would take for residents to be able to return to the area, Mayor Javier Joven stated, "It's not going to be immediate. It's probably going to be a whole day situation." Further adding, "Odessa Fire Rescue will have to continue to monitor it and report to The Red Cross."
Mayor Joven also stated that City of Odessa will provide updates throughout the day.