Westlake Corp. reported Thursday that no one was injured in an equipment failure about 11 p.m. Wednesday at its facility in Longview.
The failure produced a "loud noise or 'boom'" heard throughout the area, a company statement said. Houston-based Westlake operates a polyethylene facility on Estes Parkway that it purchased from Eastman Chemical Co. in 2006.聽
"While it was loud, all plant safety systems operated effectively. No one was injured as a result of this incident, and the plant is operating normally. We regret any inconvenience or fear that this incident created in the community. Please know that safety and the environment are at the forefront in all our actions and a top priority for Westlake Corporation," the company's statement said.
Westlake employs about 200 people at its Longview site, according to information provided on the Longview Economic Development Corp.'s website.