An explosion and subsequent fire at Valero’s Port Arthur refinery in Texas on Monday prompted local officials to issue a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents. The incident, which sent plumes of smoke into the air, occurred at a facility capable of processing approximately 435,000 barrels of oil per day, according to Fox Business.
Port Arthur Mayor Charlotte Moses reassured the public via Facebook that there were no injuries among the refinery’s approximately 770 employees. Firefighters are actively working to extinguish the blaze.
The shelter-in-place order affects residents in the Stillwell Boulevard West area, south of Highway 73, Sabine Pass, and Pleasure Island. Authorities are urging individuals in these areas to remain indoors until an “All Clear” is issued.
Valero confirmed the fire in a statement, noting that all personnel have been accounted for and that the company’s emergency response team is coordinating with local authorities. Jefferson County officials have temporarily closed State Highways 82 and 87 as a precautionary measure. Jefferson County Sheriff Zena Stephens told FOX4 Beaumont that an industrial heater was likely behind the explosion.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has deployed personnel with air monitoring equipment to the area and is coordinating with incident command.
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