Days After Fire Broke Out at Chemical Plant Near Houston, Residents Told to Stay Inside

HOUSTON — National Guard troops have been called in and residents were told to stay inside after elevated levels of benzene were detected early Thursday near a Houston-area petrochemicals storage facility that caught fire this week.Harris County officials said the Guard and hazardous materials teams have established perimeters around the Intercontinental Terminals Company in Deer Park, about 15 miles southeast of Houston.The Texas Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday that benzene levels near the facility didn't pose a health concern. But authorities issued a shelter-in-place order Thursday after "reports of action levels of benzene or other volatile organic compounds" within Deer Park, according to the city.  Continue reading...