On October 23, 1989, a maintenance accident at the Phillips Petroleum Company’s Houston Chemical Complex in Pasadena, Texas, caused a series of chemical explosions. Registering 3.5 on the Richter scale, the initial blast destroyed some on-site fire hydrants, making it difficult for first responders to extinguish the flames. It took ten hours for firefighters to get the blaze under control, delaying search and rescue efforts. Twenty-three people were killed, while more than 300 others were injured. In this news segment for Houston’s KPRC-TV, broadcast on October 24, reporter Tim Lake provides an update on firefighting and recovery efforts. Following an investigation, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Phillips for a number of safety violations that contributed to the disaster. Subsequent fatal explosions occurred at the facility in 1999 and 2000.