Local authorities in Texas issued an immediate shelter-in-place order Monday after an explosion at the Valero Port Arthur refinery as emergency crews responded to an active fire at the facility.
“To ensure the safety of all residents in the vicinity and due to the recent explosion at the Valero refinery, an immediate shelter-in-place is ordered,” Port Arthur emergency management officials said in a public alert, applying the directive to a wide area around the site.
Valero confirmed that a fire broke out in one of the refinery’s units, but said all employees were responsible. “There is currently a unit fire at Valero’s Port Arthur, Texas refinery. All employees were responsible,” the company said, adding that worker safety remains “a top priority.”
Footage from local media showed large flames and thick black smoke rising from the refinery, while residents reported a loud explosion that shook nearby houses.
According to people familiar with the incident, there was a fire at the diesel hydrogenation refinery, with the unit sustaining severe damage. The fire was near the plant’s fluid catalytic cracker and part of the refinery was shut down, according to the people, who said a decision had not yet been made on whether to shut down the entire plant.
According to acquaintances, several minor injuries were reported. A Valero spokesman said all employees were held accountable. Local officials closed two nearby state roads as a precaution, a spokeswoman said.
There were reports of a boom and smoke could be seen rising from the plant about 90 miles (145 kilometers) east of Houston, ABC television affiliate 12News reported.
The refinery can process 435,000 barrels of heavy sour crude a day, according to the company’s website.
The Port Arthur refinery, located approximately 90 miles east of Houston, is one of the largest in the United States, processing around 435,000 barrels of crude oil per day into refined products including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.
(This is a developing story. Please check back for more updates)
