Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

According to a call from the Southeast Texas Alerting Network, the shelter in place order issued earlier today for West Orange, Bridge City and Orangefield was caused by controlled flaring from a railcar with Eagle Railcar Services in Orange.

The update from Orange County Emergency Management said the flaring is expected to continue for several more hours. Officials have not been told the circumstances surrounding the flaring, other than that is is controlled.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will continue monitoring readings in the area. Local officials will use toxicology information from those readings to determine when the shelter in place will be lifted. Until then, it remains in effect.

“The parts per million is the number I’m looking for,” Orange County Judge John Gothia said. “We just want to make sure it’s safe for everybody before we lift the order.”

The substance being flared, which caused reports of a strong chemical smell across parts of Orange County, has not yet been released. Officials said they are waiting for confirmation from TCEQ on what the substance is, but they know it can be an irritant if inhaled.

Three people sought emergency medical care at Baptist Hospital in Beaumont. They followed decontamination procedures and were assessed for symptoms before being released.

The shelter in place order was issued July 18 at 1:14 p.m. by Orange County Emergency Management. Officials recommended residents to remain indoors, turn off air conditioning and close windows.