The Harris County Attorney's Office filed a lawsuit Jan. 30 against Watson Grinding and Manufacturing, the company at the center of an explosion on Jan. 24 that killed two people and damaged an estimated 450 homes.
In a press release, Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan said Watson discharged air pollutants into the atmosphere, including propylene, at the time that a 2,000-gallon tank of propylene exploded. The release goes on to describe the way Watson operated as "in a reckless manner demonstrating a conscious indifference to welfare and safety of others, including employees and nearby residents."
“Watson’s use of propylene was an ultra-hazardous activity and the company failed to exercise its duty of care to protect the public, particularly when the facility is located in a neighborhood," Ryan said in a statement.
Harris County also alleges that Watson violated the Texas Clean Air Act, including by conducting outdoor burning without a permit, discharging air contaminants in a way that could adversely affect humans and failing to report an unauthorized emissions event.
