1 killed in Channelview welding explosion

EMS: 1 person killed

CHANNELVIEW, Texas – One person was killed in a welding explosion in Channelview.

Channelview Emergency Medical services said one person was killed after a welding accident at the Oiltanking Partners plant in the 15600 block of Jacintoport Boulevard.

They said that fumes inside of a pipe that was being worked on ignited, causing the explosion about 8 a.m. Saturday.

"Like a boom. Like a bomb was being dropped off," said Army veteran and electrician Mac McClinton. "One guy was running and he was saturated with blood, man. Jesus."

Oiltanking issued a statement, saying: "Oiltanking is concerned by this unfortunate accident, and our main focus right now is on the welfare of the injured worker and to the families of those two workers."

So far, officials with the company have not identified the person who died, but they did say he was an independent contractor.

A second person was transported to the hospital. That person's condition was not immediately released.