(CNN) Tens of thousands of residents had evacuated their homes by Thanksgiving day following a series of explosions at a Texas chemical plant, Jefferson County spokeswoman Allison Nathan Getz told CNN. A fire continued to burn Thursday as a smoke cloud covered the area surrounding the TPC Group plant. More explosions followed throughout the day, including one that launched a tower into the air "like a missile," Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick said. The blasts shattered windows, destroyed roofs and left residents fearing for their safety after officials urged them to "shelter in place" early Wednesday. 😑 pic.twitter.com/CT1NxhRN62 — Mike Tobias (@MikeTobiasPhoto) November 27, 2019TPC has not yet said what caused the explosion or the extent of the damage.

Source: CNN November 28, 2019 08:48 UTC