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Orange County Emergency Management has issued a shelter-in-place for West Orange, Bridge City and Orangefield order due to a possible chemical leak. The statement reads:

“As a precautionary measure a shelter in place has been issued due to an unknown chemical release in the areas for residents of West Orange, Bridge City and Orangefield. To shelter in place – get inside, turn off air conditioning and try to block air from entering the room you are in and tune into local radio, television and social media for updates. Do not leave your shelter
unless authorities tell you it is safe to do so.”

Dow Sabine River Operations in Orange issued a statement on Facebook that says according to inspection, the odor is not from Dow. Non-essential employees have been evacuated as a precaution while the site remains under shelter in place.

The Orange Leader also spoke with a representative with Chevron-Phillips in Orange, who confirmed there was not a leak at their location. Their statement reads:

“Chevron Phillips Chemical is aware of the strong odor in the area of our Orange manufacturing plant and Golden Triangle Polymers construction site. Out of an abundance of caution for the safety and well-being of our employees and contractors, we have released all non-essential personnel from both sites. Our inspections have confirmed that our sites are not the source of the odor.“