Houston lays out new rules after fatal Watson Grinding explosion
Community Impact Newspaper
Share: Just under a year after an explosion at Watson Grinding & Manufacturing killed two and damaged over 400 structures, including homes, Houston City Council approved a new set of rules regarding storage of hazardous materials. A lot of my constituents have asked what was going to come of this, said District A Council Member Amy Peck, who represents the northwest area of Houston where the explosion occurred. In a city without zoning, this is very important, Council Member Sallie Alcorn said.
The amendments to an existing ordinance strengthen the fire marshal s enforcement capabilities and adds libraries, churches, public parks and community centers to the list of locations that businesses that store hazardous materials must stay farther than 1,000 feet away from.