HOUSTON — The Coast Guard reopened the Houston Ship Channel at 6:35 p.m., after a brief closure from a sulfur dioxide release and shelter in place in Galena Park Monday afternoon.
At about 3:30 p.m., the Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service received notification from Harris County Office of Emergency Management personnel that a shelter in place was issued for the city of Galena Park due to a sulfur dioxide leak at the Pasadena Refinery.
The VTS closed the ship channel at 4:04 p.m., extending a half-mile on either side of the Washburn Tunnel.
The leak was secured by the Pasadena Refinery at around 5:30 p.m. The Port of Houston Authority fire-boat crew monitored the air for sulfur dioxide with negative results.
At around 6 p.m., the shelter in place was lifted by the City of Galena Park emergency coordinator.
The cause of the leak is under investigation.