Texas fire: At least one dead in Crosby chemical plant blaze as people ordered to take shelter, reports say

(Screenshot/KOU11)

At least one person has been killed and two others badly injured after a Texas chemical plant explosion and fire that has led to calls for residents and students to shelter in place, according to local media.

The explosion occurred in the northeast Houston suburb of Crosby, and one employee told Houston area television station KPRC that employees were being evacuated at the time of the incident as a result of a leak of some sort.

Harris County Fire Marshal's Office said that the fire was burning at the KMCO chemical plant. Around 20 employees were being evacuated at the time of the explosion, and some were forced to climb underneath a gate to get away from the blaze that ensued.

Immediately after the explosion, the fire began spewing a thick back plume of smoke into the air. Soon after the blaze began, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez announced on social media that they were closing down roadways nearby.

The explosion comes just two weeks after a separate fire at a petrochemical storage plant in Deer Park, a community 20mi (32km) away from Crosby.

According to its web site, KMCO is a chemical company that offers coolant and brake fluid products and chemicals for the oilfield industry.

The Crosby and Sheldon school districts have asked students and staff to shelter in place at all their campuses.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.