WATCH: Texas Chemical Plant Engulfed In Fire After Explosion, Shelter In Place Orders Issued

Black smoke filled the sky in Shepherd, Texas on Wednesday morning after an explosion at a chemical plant sparked a large fire.

The plant explosion and subsequent fire led to shelter-in-place orders being issued and education facilities being evacuated, according to NBC News. A private school near the fire was evacuated and a five-mile shelter-in-place order was issued, authorities announced.

The Constable of San Jacinto County told media outlets that the destroyed building was a petroleum processing plant. The nearby highway was shuttered and locals were directed to use alternate roads as authorities worked to subdue the inferno.

Per NBC News:

The Polk County Emergency Management Office said that the plume of smoke from the explosion was heading towards the Livingston area and advised locals to shelter in place and turn off HVAC systems in homes and business “immediately.”

“At this time, the effects of the chemical in the air are unknown,” Polk County officials said.

The Livingston Police Department similarly urged its residents and businesses to shelter in place and turn off air conditioning systems until further notice.

The Polk County Emergency Management Office later released a statement on Wednesday afternoon informing residents that the chemicals from the destroyed facility have “acute toxicity, carcinogenicity, and reproductive toxicity, and may cause serious eye damage or eye irritation, skin corrosion or irritation, aspiration hazard, and organ toxicity.”