HOUSTON – A cloud of black smoke could be seen for miles across southwest Houston Thursday after a propane tank ruptured at a recycling plant.
It happened around 1:30 p.m.. at Southwest Metal Recycling in the 9400 block of Ronda Lane off the Southwest Freeway between Bissonnet and S. Gessner.
Firefighters said the propane tank ruptured and the flames quickly started to spread.
"We started trying to put it out, but it kept going," said Brian Brand, who owns the facility. "I got my guys out of there, got the equipment and machines out of there, called 911, the fire department came and they took care of it."
Firefighters used about 1,800 gallons of water per minute to put the fire out. It took them about an hour to get it under control.
Fortunately none of the employees or firefighters were injured.
"You go through your day working and all of a sudden this happens," Brand said. "It slows you down for a second and you remember what is important."