Explosion at Sherwin-Williams Plant in Garland Results in Fire
GARLAND (CBSNewsTexas.com) – An explosion at the Sherwin-Williams plant in Garland has sparked a fire and caused authorities to launch an investigation into the incident.
The explosion occurred at approximately 1:15 a.m. at the plant located at 701 South Shiloh Road. Emergency services responded swiftly, with 16 units arriving at the scene within minutes. The blaze was eventually extinguished, but the cause of the explosion remains unknown.
According to a spokesperson from Sherwin-Williams, production at the plant has been suspended indefinitely. Once the fire department gives clearance, the company will assess the impact of the explosion and the subsequent fire before resuming production.
During the incident, one worker at the plant sustained injuries and was taken to a local hospital as a precautionary measure. Fortunately, they have since been released.
As the investigation continues, Garland Fire is urging the public to steer clear of the plant’s vicinity. It has come to their attention that residents in the area noticed a strong chemical smell in the air during and after the fire.
While fire suppression efforts were underway, a hazardous materials team arrived at the site to conduct preliminary air quality testing. The city of Garland has emphasized the importance of air and stormwater quality and has requested testing from both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
“Based on the results of the initial testing, it was determined that an evacuation of the surrounding area was not necessary,” stated Garland Fire. Ongoing air quality and stormwater tests will be conducted, and if any hazards are detected, immediate notifications will be issued for the affected area.
For safety reasons, Shiloh Road between Marquis and Forest Ln. remains closed at present. Authorities are working diligently to ensure the area is secure before reopening the road.
This incident has left the community shaken, with witnesses describing the explosion as unlike anything they have ever heard before. A combat veteran who was in a nearby building recounted the experience, expressing his astonishment at the intensity of the blast. The impact of the explosion will undoubtedly be analyzed further during the ongoing investigation.
