4 injured in Mark West Energy explosion
{child_flags:editors_pick}4 injured in Mark West Energy explosion
Four people were injured in an explosion Thursday evening at MarkWest Energy natural gas processing plant, Western Avenue, Houston.
An investigation is underway into the cause of the explosion that occurred shortly after 6 p.m. near two temporary tanks that were on site for routine maintenance, resulting in a fire, according to a statement issued by Jamal Kheiry, a spokesman for Marathon Petroleum Corp. corporate affairs.
Two of the injured were flown by medical helicopter to West Penn Hospital and two to UPMC Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh. The injured were Mark West employees. Their conditions were not immediately known.
The fire was extinguished. The plant has been shut down as a precaution.
Washington County Hazardous Materials team remains on the scene along with the state Department of Environmental Protection and emergency responders from eight fire departments and four medical agencies.