EVACUATED RESIDENTS WATCH PLANT FIRE, 2002-05-01 (photo)

Friendswood, Texas residents evacuated from their homes across the street from the Third Coast Industries watch as the chemical mixing facility burns early May 1, 2002. A major fire was raging out of control at a petrochemical plant near Houston on Wednesday, forcing the evacuation of dozens of homes, but there were no reports of fatalities, authorities said. Explosions rocked the warehouse at the Third Coast Package Co. in Pearland, Texas, about 1 a.m. on Wednesday, rattling windows in nearby houses and sending up flames that could be seen at least 10 miles away. REUTERS/Richard Carson RJC/JP