A powerful explosion ignited a massive fire at the Valero oil refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, on Monday night, producing a thick plume of smoke that rose high into the sky.
Incident Details
Residents in nearby neighborhoods reported a deafening boom that shook homes and windows, prompting emergency responders to rush to the site. The facility processes 435,000 barrels of crude oil daily into gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.
Cause and Safety Measures
Sheriff Zena Stephens stated the blast likely stemmed from an industrial heater. Officials promptly issued a shelter-in-place order for the city’s western area to protect residents from potential risks.
