1 dead after emergency crews respond to asphalt spill at South Houston facility, HCFMO says

SOUTH HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A person is dead following an asphalt spill at a South Houston facility, according to the City of South Houston and the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office.

A large amount of liquid asphalt appeared to be spilled on the ground around a large tank at the Martin Asphalt facility, SkyEye13 images showed.



The HCFMO initially said it was responding to the incident in the 300 block of Christy Place on Wednesday afternoon.

HCFMO officials added that the South Houston Fire Department was the lead agency responding to the incident, while the Houston Fire Department's Hazmat and Rescue unit was also at the scene.



According to officials, there was 50,000 gallons of asphalt and the victim was buried under 3 feet of asphalt.

Martin Midstream Partners LP CFO Sharon Taylor said the company was aware of the incident at the asphalt terminal and that it was working to "review the circumstances surrounding the incident." Taylor did not immediately confirm that someone was killed.

Officials said that the person who died was working at the time. At this time, officials didn't say whether they were a Martin Asphalt employee or otherwise.

This is a developing story. Eyewitness News is continuing to gather facts.

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