Drone footage shows aerial aftermath of deadly west Houston explosion

An explosion at Watson Grinding and Manufacturing rocked northwest Houston early morning Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. Two people have been reported dead by officials. An explosion at Watson Grinding and Manufacturing rocked northwest Houston early morning Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. Two people have been reported dead by officials. Photo: Godofredo A. Vásquez, Staff Photographer/Houston Chronicle Photo: Godofredo A. Vásquez, Staff Photographer/Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 98 Caption Close Drone footage shows aerial aftermath of deadly west Houston explosion 1 / 98 Back to Gallery

Residents in west Houston are reeling from a deadly explosion that shook the area in the early hours of Friday morning.

The explosion, which took place at 4:30 a.m. at the Watson Grinding and Manufacturing company on the 4500 block of Gessner Road, claimed the lives of at least two people and hospitalized one worker. Authorities say 18 other people from the area have reported to hospitals with injuries and ailments purportedly from the explosion.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: See the site of the explosion from above

Officials continue to sift the wreckage for victims and answers.

HazMat crews with the Houston Fire Department secured a 2,000-gallon container of propylene that was leaking on the site.

HoustonChronicle.com: What we know about the site of the west Houston explosion

Click through the above to see aerial photos of the aftermath and the surrounding area.

Dan Carson is a digital producer for the Houston Chronicle. You can read his work on Chron.com and follow him on Twitter.