Explosion and fire turn deadly in northwest Harris County

(7/13/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- Emergencies crews were called to a northwest Harris County business about 11:30am with reports of an explosion and a fire that was spreading.

It happened behind Strong Manufacturing near the intersection of Brownie Campbell and Antoine.

You could see the smoke for miles. Well before Roy Watson saw it, he knew already that something was tragically wrong. He knew it because of what he heard.

"One of them sounded like a bunch of dynamite going off," he said. "I mean, it was real loud."

Watson lives right next to Strong Manufacturing. He went outside and saw what we did from above -- flames consuming several vehicles and a portion of the business right next door.

"I'm just glad it was blowing that way instead of this way," said Watson.

Authorities say the explosion happened at around 11:15am. They tell us an independent contractor was working on a diesel fuel tank located in a metal shed near the rear of Strong's property. They believe sparks from that welding ignited the fire.

"Rapid ignition, flammable vapors within the area," said Dustin Deutsch with the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office.

Investigators say the person doing the welding was killed. No one else was hurt. HazMat crews spent much of the day making sure there are no other flammable chemicals still in the area.

Strong Manufacturing makes dump trucks. Company officials refused to talk to us about the incident. Authorities consider it an accident.

Authorities have not released the name of the victim. They say he died within seconds of the explosion. OSHA is conducting an investigation.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•