Poisonous gas alert at water plant in Weslaco,TX, people evacuated

Firefighters and hazmat crews are responding to a chemical leak of a poisonous gas at a water plant in Weslaco, Texas, local news reports. Buildings within 250 feet north and west of the facility are being evacuated.

The incidentat the Weslaco Water Treatment Plant began when one chemical was poured into a tank full of other chemicals, which created hydrogen chloride, Weslaco Emergency Management Coordinator George Garrett told KRGV.

A hose was hooked up to the wrong tank, causing the two chemicals to be mixed together at the wrong concentration, Weslaco Public Utilities Director David Salinas told KGBT.

There are no water quality issues at this time, he added.

TX BLVD blocked from Delmita St to Sugar Cane as crews work chemical spill at Weslaco Water plant @krgvpic.twitter.com/f42CwzyuiO

— Leslie Aguilar (@KRGV_Leslie) April 10, 2015

Firefighters from Weslaco were joined by hazmat crews from McAllen, Texas; Hidalgo County Emergency Management officials; and Hidalgo County Precinct 1 constables, KRGV reported.

There is no threat to the area surrounding the water plant, and the chemicals have been contained, Weslaco Fire Chief Antonio Lopez told reporters during a briefing.

There are no reported injuries at this time, according to KRGV.

Weslaco is a city of 35,000 people in the southern tip of Texas.