Residents in La Porte, Texas, can breathe easier after officials gave the all-clear following a chemical leak at the Altivia Chemical Plant. The leak, which began after a pressure release device ruptured, set off a shelter-in-place order on Monday for parts of the city due to the release of phosgene gas—a colorless irritant that can cause severe respiratory issues. According to FOX26 Houston, the order was lifted just before 1:30 p.m.

According to Judge Lina Hidalgo's office report, the incident resulted in the hospitalization of eight individuals, presumably Altivia employees, who were stable upon their transfer. SkyEye captured scenes from above the chemical plant as officials surrounded the area and sprayed water to contain the leak. ABC13 reports that victims from a separate facility west of Altivia are presently under observation.

Emergency statements indicated that while fence line monitors detected some vapor migration across the southern border of the facility, Harris County Pollution Control found "no detectable amounts of hazardous chemicals in the air." La Porte Public Information Officer Lee Woodward told FOX26 Houston, "We were glad to be able to release that shelter in place fairly quickly."

The shelter-in-place order had urged residents in the affected area, south of Fairmont Parkway between Bay Area and S. 16th Street, to stay indoors, seal their homes, and shut off air systems. After being confirmed by the facility, the gas leak prompted the city to issue immediate shelter orders, seal doors and windows, and turn off cooling and heating systems. Roads were reopened, except for S. 16th Street, as forewarned by ABC13, which is staying closed for further investigation.