Tank car explodes at BASF plant, residents told to stay indoors

FREEPORT, Texas (AP) _ A rail car with ammonia exploded at a BASF Corp. plant Friday, rattling windows for miles and prompting authorities to urge residents to stay indoors. <br><br>Four workers at the

Friday, September 13th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

FREEPORT, Texas (AP) _ A rail car with ammonia exploded at a BASF Corp. plant Friday, rattling windows for miles and prompting authorities to urge residents to stay indoors.

Four workers at the chemical plant suffered minor injuries, cuts and scrapes, said BASF spokeswoman Sharon Rogers.

Rogers said the rail car, which had ammonia and at least one other chemical, exploded after some ammonia leaked from it. It was not immediately known what caused the explosion, she said. An investigation was underway.

Freeport Police Chief Henrietta Gonzalez said officials will allow the fire in the rail car to burn out.

``There is some (health) concern, but what concern I can't tell you,'' Gonzalez said. She said highways around the plant were shut down as a precaution and area residents were asked to stay indoors.

BASF Corp. is the North American arm of BASF AG, which is based in Germany. In June, the parent company said is was closing one of three acrylic acid plants at Freeport, about 50 miles south of Houston.