PASADENA, Texas -- Firefighters from Pasadena and surrounding areas had their hands full Tuesday when a warehouse went up in flames early Tuesday morning and continued to burn through the lunch hour, News2Houston reported.

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Air Samples Come Back Negative, Shelter-In-Place Lifted Stubborn Inferno Continues To Burn After 7 Hours Firefighters Battle Chemical Warehouse Blaze

Environmental concerns had some nearby residents observing a shelter-in-place warning due to the thick black smoke caused by pesticide chemicals inside the 4,800 square-foot warehouse that caught on fire.

Some polling locations were also relocated because of the shelter-in-place warning.

The two-alarm fire started with an explosion around 5:15 a.m. at a warehouse owned by Controlled Solutions in the 5900 block of Genoa-Red Bluff.

Company officials told News2Houston the warehouse stored pesticide products used for gardening and insecticides used to kill insects and some rodents.

Officials called a shelter-in-place alert around 8 a.m. for the communities of Taylor Lake, El Jardin, El Lago, Seabrook and Shoreacres. All of those communities are southeast of the plant.

Most of the students in the area were not in school; however, Clear Creek Independent School District schools are in session and were told to observe the shelter-in-place warning.

Bayport Industries, which is directly south of the plant, was also told to observe the alert.

News2Houston reported that a Control Solutions manager was inside a building next door to the one on fire when the flames erupted. He managed to escape safely.

Pasadena officials called for help from Seabrook, Deer Park and other chemical plant fire crews around 7 a.m. Foam trucks were called to the scene around 8:30 a.m.

"What the fire department is trying to do is kind of use water sparingly because they don't want too much runoff getting into the streets," Pasadena Police Department spokesman Martin DeLeon said.

Officials had the fire under control by 10 a.m.; however, the fire continued to burn inside and a black plume of smoke continued to rise from the warehouse.

About 125 firefighters remained on the scene at 12:15 p.m. trying to extinguish the fire.

Flames smoldered around 1 p.m. as fire crews neared the end of an 8-hour battle with the blaze.

Twenty-five firefighters remained on the scene at 4 p.m., putting out hot spots.

No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

EPA Air Quality Tests Come Back Negative

Fire officials did not believe the fire is a hazard to the community but the heavy black smoke rising from the flames is a concern.

"I was at the kitchen window and I saw this black smoke coming from behind the houses," El Lago resident Myra Scott said.

Environmental Protection Agency workers took air quality samples in several areas as several communities, schools and businesses were told to stay inside and to keep their air-conditioning units turned off.

Some residents told News2Houston they were angry because they weren't properly warned.

"I called the police department (a second time), and they said they had finally gotten word that we were in shelter-in-place, and I asked when they were going to sound the alarm. They said they would not because it creates panic and chaos," Taylor Lake resident Jaynie Hutchinson said.

At 1 p.m. an alarm was sounded, alerting residents that the shelter-in-place had been lifted.

So far, the air samples have come back negative for harmful fumes.

Voting Locations Near Warehouse Fire Relocated

Some polling locations near the warehouse fire have been relocated.

Democrat Precincts 90, 415, 377, 703, 692 and 333 and Republic Precincts 90, 290 and 377 have been moved to the Pasadena City Hall.

The polls will be opened until 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Shelter-In-Place Order

Emergency crews issued a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents.

When a shelter-in-place is issued, residents should:

Go inside
Shut all doors and windows
Turn off air conditioners and heaters to prevent outside air from getting inside
Stay off the phone
Do not use fireplaces. Put out fires and close all dampers.
Move to a room with the fewest windows and doors. Tape around doors, windows, exhaust fans and vents using plastic sheeting or garbage bags, if directed.
Turn on the radio or television to listen for further instructions

Families are advised to have the following items in a shelter-in-place kit:

Two rolls of duct tape
Cloth and paper towels
Plastic sheets or trash bags
Flashlight and extra batteries
Battery-powered radio
Two gallons of water
Nonperishable foods

If your eyes, nose or throat become irritated, protect your breathing by covering your mouth with a damp cloth, take frequent shallow breaths and stay calm.

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