22 injured in explosion at Texas chemical plant

May 19 (UPI) -- Twenty-two workers were injured at a chemical plant Saturday in Pasadena, Texas, a city southeast of Houston.

The blast happened about 11 a.m. at Kuraray America Eval in the southern Harris County city. The Pasadena Fire Marshal's Office reported the fire is no longer active.

John Krueger, spokesman for the La Porte Office of Emergency Management, said a valve blew and sparked the fire, sending 22 employees to area hospitals, two via air ambulance.

Victims suffered burns and topical injuries, some obtained as they were escaping the blast. All the injured are expected to survive, the spokesman said.

City officials are continuing to monitor the situation, which poses no danger to the public.

Kuraray America, Inc. specializes, chemical, fiber and resin production.