Shell Chemical Plant Had Many Violations Before Recent Fire, Paid Few Fines

"Residents, lawyers, and environmental groups point to aging facilities and reluctant state regulators as reasons for the continued string of industrial fires."

"The air quality in Houston was already bad on Friday, May 5. Carolyn Stone, who lives in Channelview, along the Houston Ship Channel, said it was giving her a headache.

"That particular day I was downing the Tylenol," she said.

Then a fire broke out at Shell's chemical plant in Deer Park. Stone got a call from a friend telling her to look outside.

"Within a few minutes, I could see the column of black smoke coming up over the tree line, heading this way," she said."

Katie Watkins reports for Houston Public Media June 14, 2023.