Grand Prairie, TX – A plastics manufacturing plant in North Texas caught fire overnight on Wednesday, August 19th. According to authorities, an overhanging powerline fell into plastic sheeting in a storage area, igniting and spreading quickly.
The fire raged through 300-yards of the Poly-America facility at West Marshall Drive near Texas Highway 161 for nearly 24 hours despite assistance from several area fire departments. One rail car exploded and supporting towers for electricity lines are expected to collapse under the heat of the flames. At least three of Poly-America’s freight rail cars had caught fire.
No immediate injuries reported, however, toxic fumes have blown through the surrounding neighborhoods and pose a serious risk to individuals with respiratory issues. Bill Murphy, assistant chief of operations with the Grand Prairie Fire Department, warns nearby residents to stay inside and avoid toxic smoke inhalation as the fire continues to smolder.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said they are monitoring the air as the fumes spread throughout the surrounding areas. The EPA is assisting with its airborne chemical detection capabilities and has deployed its ASPECT plane and Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology.
Poly-America is a part of a privately-held group of companies headquartered in Grand Prairie, Texas since 1976. This group of companies makes up the world’s largest producer of products made from polyethylene, a highly flammable material used in the production of construction film and trash bags.
People living close to facilities like Poly-America are 56% more likely to develop leukemia than those 10 miles away due to exposure to toxic substances. Children are especially susceptible to these risks. Personal injuries, illnesses, and, in worse cases, death caused by exposure to toxic substances, can be remediated through legal channels. When you’ve been exposed to a toxic chemical, you need an attorney that will fight to secure the compensation you need to pay for medical costs, loss of income, and other damages.
With decades of experience in successful toxic exposure litigation, Williams Hart & Boundas has the skill and resources to take on massive corporations who have routinely put people like you in harm’s way because of negligence. We want you to know that you are not alone. We have recovered billions for our clients whose lives were forever changed through no fault of their own, and we can do the same for you.
