Texas Takes a Whiff: Deadly Gas Leak Leaves Two Dead, Dozens in Distress

Well, isn't this just peachy? At least two unlucky souls kicked the bucket and nearly three dozen others got a nasty surprise after a chemical leak at an oil refinery in Texas on Thursday. Way to go, PEMEX!

The joyous event unfolded at their facility in Deer Park, just a stone's throw from Houston. You know, the place where they turn crude oil into gasoline and other fun fuels. Around 4:20 p.m., some genius over there let hydrogen sulfide—a gas known for its delightful rotten egg smell—leak out and ruin everyone's day.

It took local law enforcement a whole hour to get the memo, and by 7 p.m., Deer Park and Pasadena were under a shelter-in-place order. Isn't that just charming? Deer Park Office of Emergency Management was all over it, though, just like they always are when things hit the fan.

Houston's Latest Disaster Claims 2 Lives, Injures Dozens

In true Texas fashion, officials initially reported one death and a bunch of injuries. But wait, there's more! By late Thursday night, the Harris County Sheriff's Office upped the ante to two fatalities and 35 people needing medical attention. Hooray for updates!

What Caused the Deer Park Gas-a-Palooza?

PEMEX Deer Park, always the life of the party, said there was a "gas release" around 4:40 p.m. Yeah, because that's what we need—more gas releases. The cause of the leak is still under investigation, but who cares, right? It's not like it's a big deal or anything.

What the Heck is Hydrogen Sulfide?

For those of you not in the know, hydrogen sulfide is a nasty, flammable gas that smells like rotten eggs. It's found in sewage, natural gas, and volcanic gases—all the fun places. And guess who loves using it? Oil and gas refineries, of course!

The Aftermath: Still Under Investigation

The Sheriff's Office is still looking into the incident, because what else are they going to do? The shelter-in-place order was lifted at 9:30 p.m. after some air monitoring reports came back okay. The City of Deer Park even posted on social media, "We are aware of the odor but there is no hazard to the community. Thank you for your patience." Isn't that just heartwarming?

Where Did This Gas Party Happen?

If you're looking to visit the scene of the crime, head over to 5900 Highway 225. You can't miss it—it's the place with the lovely aroma of rotten eggs.

— USA TODAY contributed to this report, because who else would?