Trucker Files Lawsuit Against K-Solv for Injuries Sustained in Chemical Fire

A Houston truck driver is filing a lawsuit after a massive chemical fire burned for hours at a transit facility in the Channelview area last week, reported ABC13.

Houston attorneys Benny Agosto Jr. and Ben Agosto III said they filed the suit on behalf of Antonio Alvarez on Tuesday against K-Solv, the company that controls the facility of the fire.

K-Solv provides environmental protection, disaster services and chemicals to the petrochemical industry. The company is said to be a transit facility, meaning that they don't manufacture products at that location, but rather accept and ship chemicals.

Massive flames shot out of the K-Solv warehouse on Lakeside Drive around 4 p.m. last Wednesday. According to the fire marshal's office, known chemicals on site included, but were not limited to, hydrochloric acid, acetone, ethanol, ethylene dichloride, and other acids.

After monitoring air and water quality levels the following day, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said it did not find any areas of concern.

Alvarez's attorneys said the driver, at the time of the fire, was at the facility to make a drop-off and pick up a product. When the fire went off, Alvarez ran and stumbled to the ground as he was trying to get away, according to attorneys. He reportedly sustained "substantial injuries and trauma."

"As sequential explosions rang out, Alvarez made it to a high fence that he and other facility contractors squeezed and pressed against, while trying to scale it to escape the facility," said the statement issued by Alvarez's attorneys.

Alvarez and other workers say they found a ladder and climbed over the fence.

"Alvarez was able to escape the facility and successfully board the vessel but not without sustaining substantial injuries and trauma as a result of the chaos and destruction following the fire," the statement continued.

Alvarez was reportedly hospitalized shortly after and was treated for injuries to his lungs, neck, shoulders, and back.

The lawsuit claims K-Solv was negligent, did not create and/or enforce safety rules and guidelines, provide timely assistance or warned anyone of a known hazard. The amount Alvarez is seeking was not disclosed.