HOUSTON -- Officials say a gas leak caused an explosion and brief flash fire at a chemical plant near Houston, resulting in non-life threatening injuries to nearly two dozen workers.

Kurary America said in a news release that ethylene escaping from a safety valve caught fire Saturday at the company's EVAL plan in Pasadena where 266 workers were on site.

"There was an actual blown valve that occurred in one of the processing units when the Feldblum there was a minor fire that occurred at that point as there were 20 total people that were injured that were taken by ground and two more that were taken via helicopter,” said Lt. John Krueger, of the La Porte Police Department.

Ethylene is a gas that is not harmful to humans and is used in the production of plastic. La Porte Emergency Management Lt. John Krueger says the injuries include burns similar to a severe sunburn and 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.