No Injuries Following Coal Dust Explosion and Fire at CEMEX Plant

(New Braunfels, TX) -- A large explosion rocked the CEMEX plant a little after 2:40am yesterday, causing flames to shoot into the sky above that cement processing plant on the south end of town.

New Braunfels Fire and EMS crews were sent out to Wald Road off FM 482 to the CEMEX plant after plant managers reported the explosion, and after callers along I-35 reported seeing flames shoot over 30-feet into the sky above that facility.

When firefighters arrived on scene they discovered that there had been a significant coal dust explosion inside one of the plants large coal storage bins which had started a fire, although a lot less fire than what firefighters thought they were heading into. New Braunfels Fire Department Battalion Chief Darren Brinkoetter told us more about what they faced once they were on scene, including having to hand-carry hoses to the top of those silos, which are several stories tall. You can hear his comments by clicking the Audio Clip link at end of this story.

Brinkoetter says the silos, which are pressurized and protected with explosion panels, did suffer some damage during the explosion and fire, but that the protective equipment installed in those structures performed as they were supposed to, absorbing most of the shock, and only causing minor damages to the facility.

There were no injuries of workers at the plant or of firefighters, and no hazardous materials were involved. Crews were on scene until a little after 6am and the plant remained closed for several more hours after that to ensure the safety of the facility.

The Comal County Fire Marshall’s Office is still investigating and as more details are released, we’ll have updates.