An employee at Martin Resource Management in South Houston died in an asphalt tank failure, according to officials. Their body was later recovered.
SOUTH HOUSTON, Texas — One person is dead after an asphalt tank failure Wednesday afternoon at an industrial facility in the City of South Houston.
It happened at around 3:30 p.m. at Martin Asphalt on Christy Place near the intersection of Galveston Road and Spencer Highway.
Cleanup crews are now working to remove an estimated 50,000 gallons of black tar that spilled across the area, and officials say the process could take several days to complete.
The cleanup could also cause traffic backups near Christy Place as crews continue working in the area.
City of South Houston officials said when first responders arrived, they discovered one person was unaccounted for.
“Our fire department was able to locate the individual. Recovery is still underway,” said Alma Alanis with City of South Houston during a news conference Wednesday night. “We have Houston Fire Department Hazmat helping us out with the recovery. We have not been able to confirm the identity. Once we do, we will notify the next of kin.”
Earlier Houston Fire Department officials said the victim was believed to be under approximately three feet of asphalt at the scene. The victim’s body was later recovered.
Officials believe the worker was trapped under nearly three feet of black tar that spilled from the ruptured tank.
Officials said the black tar is typically used as a base layer before asphalt is applied.
Alanis said air monitoring was being conducted in the area and that there was no danger to the community.
Officials added that while residents may notice the smell of tar, air quality tests show it is safe to be outside.
The Pasadena Fire Marshal’s Office is leading the investigation into what caused the rupture.
Crews will need to bring in a crane and other heavy equipment to remove the damaged tank so investigators can fully examine the scene.
In a statement, Martin Asphalt confirmed the employee’s death.
“Martin Asphalt confirms with deep regret that an employee involved in a recent incident at our South Houston, Texas, asphalt terminal has died,” the company said.
The company said emergency response procedures were immediately activated and local first responders were notified and responded to the scene.
“Our deepest sympathies are with the employee’s family during this difficult time,” the statement continued. “We are focused on supporting those affected, including providing appropriate resources to our workforce.”
Martin Asphalt said it has launched a comprehensive internal review of the incident and is cooperating with local and state authorities.
“At this time, the cause of the incident has not been determined,” the company said. “It would be inappropriate to speculate prior to the completion of the review processes.”
Martin Asphalt is part of Martin Resource Management. Industry directories classify the South Houston operation as a manufacturing facility for asphalt paving and roofing products, sealants, and related protective coatings.
New video from the scene shows crews organizing cleanup efforts, while aerial footage from Air 11 captured the immediate aftermath of the rupture, with black tar spilling across the facility and onto nearby roadways.
Neighbors said they heard and felt the explosion from inside their homes. Raquel, a resident living near the facility, described hearing a loud blast followed by a sudden wave of black smoke and asphalt raining down around her building.
Her first thought was her granddaughter, who was on a school bus nearby at the time of the explosion. She said a bus driver stopped the vehicle just feet away from the blast zone, keeping the children on board out of harm’s way.
Another witness, Jasmin, who asked not to be identified on camera, described the moment the tank let go.
“You could hear a boom and you could hear the stuff fall. And all the stuff stop falling. Couldn’t see much the black tar come out,” she said.
Jasmin said her car got stuck in the spilled asphalt and could not move.
She added that tar coated the underside of her vehicle — including the exhaust, suspension and engine components — leaving it undrivable.
Officials said more updates are expected as the investigation continues and cleanup efforts move forward.
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