Second fire breaks out at chemical plant in Texas

SAN ANTONIO -- For the second time in less than two weeks, a fire was reported at a chemical plant in Atascosa County, Texas, prompting precautionary evacuations early Tuesday, the San Antonio Express-News reported.

A man driving to work called 911 after seeing flames inside the gates of the Chemplex chemical facility around 3:30 a.m.

Officials ordered residents within one mile of the plant to evacuate, and firefighters and law enforcement officers went door to door to notify them.

The same residents had been evacuated Sept. 26 after a small fire was reported at the same plant.

“We''ve been erring on the side of safety,” County Fire Marshal David Prasifka said. “We went a little overboard on the evacuations, but there are so many chemicals out there, and it''s all bulk.”