Houston Ship Channel reopens after chemical spill

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A chemical spill shut down the Houston Ship Channel for a short period of time Thursday afternoon.

The Coast Guard and a Harris County Hazardous Material Response team responded to the spill of about 500 gallons of benzene on the tanker Maritime Jingan while moored at Vopak Terminal Thursday afternoon, according to the Coast Guard.

The ship channel closed at 12:23pm between the Lynchburg Ferry Crossing and Carpenters Bayou.

The Coast Guard says the cause is under investigation. The Coast Guard says a small portion of the benzene entered the water.

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