Officials say a gas leak caused an explosion and brief flash fire at a chemical plant near Houston, injuring nearly two dozen workers.

Kuraray America said in a news release that ethylene escaping from a safety valve caught fire Saturday at the company's EVAL plant in an unincorporated area near Pasadena.

OFFICIAL UPDATE FROM Kuraray EVAL Site fire. ALL-CLEAR has been given. @pasadenaoem and @kuraray reports 2 have been airlifted to local hospitals. Several others taken by ambulance. More released with minor injuries. pic.twitter.com/f8HTnfyHxb — City of Pasadena TX (@PasadenaTX) May 19, 2018

The explosion happened around 10:30 a.m. Saturday and ignited ethylene, a gas that is not harmful to humans and is used in the production of plastic.

Initial reports that one person was unaccounted for turned out to be incorrect.

La Porte Emergency Management Lt. John Krueger says the injuries include burns similar to a severe sunburn, as well as back and leg injuries.

The plant's address is Pasadena, but is located in an unincorporated area between the Houston suburbs.

Plant manager Eric Bass said the company is working with investigators.