Huge Chemical-Plant Fire Rages in Texas

An industrial plant in Texas erupted in flames on Monday, sending vast black plumes of toxic smoke into the sky and a stream of blazing chemicals pouring from the site.

Television pictures showed the inferno burning out of control at the Magnablend Inc. chemical plant near the town of Waxahachie, with the potentially toxic smoke blackening skies for miles around.

CNN reported that a nearby elementary school was being evacuated.

The company performs chemical blending, manufacturing and packaging, according to its website.

"Magnablend manufactures custom chemicals for a variety of industries, including: oil field; agriculture; pet food and feed supplements; water treatment; construction; and industrial cleaning," according to its website.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2011