Deceased Employees In Warehouse Explosion Identified As Frank Flores And Gerardo Castorena

Watson Grinding and Manufacturing, a Houston warehouse facility that is responsible for making valves and providing thermalized spray-coatings for various types of equipment used in industrial work was leveled by an explosion that occurred Friday, January 24, 2020. The explosion, which occurred at 4:30 a.m. shook the entire surrounding neighborhood and killed two employees.

There were no other fatalities that were reported except for two employees, Frank Flores and Gerardo Castorena, who had gone into work early to utilize the employee gym. There was a total of 20 reported injuries, two of which were employees and 18 belonging to civilians in the area. None of the reported injuries appeared to be life-threatening.

Local and federal officials plan to spend several days combing through the rubble and debris where the warehouse once stood trying to find out why the explosion happened. They do not suspect foul play, but they have opened an official criminal investigation into the matter regardless.

Hazardous material crews secured a valve on a 2,000-gallon propylene tank that had apparently been leaking. Propylene is a colorless gas that is used in the production of certain plastics, synthetic rubbers, and gasoline. The gas is highly flammable and could explode in a fire.

The propylene could explain the amount of damage that surrounding homes encountered due to the explosion of the warehouse. Shelters were opened to accommodate those living around the explosion site and the American Red Cross assisted over 100 people who came seeking shelter.

There was no sign of hazardous air-quality around the explosion site and there has not been a formal evacuation enforced. Over 90,000 people live in the area 3 miles around the warehouse and significant home damage has been reported. Homes have had damage that ranges from windows being blown out to their ceilings caved in.

The company remains hopeful that once the investigation is completed the answers for the cause will become available.