CROSBY, TX. (THECOUNT) — James Earl Mangum has been identified as the victim killed Tuesday morning in an explosion at a chemical plant in Crosby, Texas.
Mangum, 27, graduated from Sam Houston State University and worked at a chemical plant in Liberty before joining KMCO LP in Crosby a few years ago.
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The fire started at the KMCO plant on Ramsey Road at Crosby Dayton Road around 11 a.m. and was extinguished around 5 p.m., reports Click2Houston.
KMCO officials said the fire was sparked by isobutylene, a colorless gas with a faint petroleum-like odor, then fueled by ethanol and ethyl acrylate. A transfer line ignited and a tank caught fire, which spread to a nearby building that contains dry chemicals, officials said.
“If you never met Bubba, you missed out,” said Kelvin Burks, the interim police chief in Daisetta who also raised Mangum since high school after Mangum’s dad died. “He was definitely a joy to be around.”
Burks said Mangum was promoted at KMCO two weeks ago, and from what he’s heard, Mangum may have been trying to stop the reported leak when the explosion happened.
Isobutylene is the chemical burning at the KMCO LP plant in Crosby, but what is it, and what are the risks?
Isobutylene is associated with rubber products and fuel production.
Generally kept under pressure as compressed, liquified gas, it is highly flammable. If released, it can create an oxygen-deficient atmosphere, causing concerns of asphyxiation.
Geo quick facts: Crosby is a census-designated place in Harris County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,299 at the 2010 census – Wikipedia.