Arkema acquitted over hurricane fire emissions
By 
Rebecca Trager2020-10-06T14:00:00
US Judge rules there is insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges relating to peroxide fire caused by flooding in 2017
A Texas judge has dismissed the criminal charges case against French chemical giant Arkema, the chief executive of the company’s North America division, and one of its plant managers, all related to emissions of hazardous chemicals during hurricane Harvey in August 2017. The storm caused flooding that knocked out power to the plant, which led to the organic peroxides stored there igniting once refrigerators, generators and backup cooling methods failed. The resulting fires forced 200 residents to evacuate and sent 21 first responders to hospital.