Fire Out After Explosion at Port Arthur Refinery Prompts Emergency Orders
An oil refinery fire near the Texas coast has been extinguished and a shelter-in-place order lifted after a large explosion sent plumes of smoke into the air, officials confirmed Tuesday.
No injuries were reported following Monday’s explosion at the Valero refinery in Port Arthur, located about 90 miles east of Houston. Mayor Charlotte M. Moses said residents in parts of the city’s west side were initially urged to stay indoors as emergency crews responded.
“There’s been an explosion, yes, but we’re OK; everybody’s OK,” Moses said. “They’re trying to put the fire out as quickly as possible.”
Homes Shaken, Schools Closed as Precaution
Residents miles away reported feeling their homes shake from the blast, while some local schools closed Tuesday as a precaution.
Images and videos shared online showed thick smoke and flames rising from the refinery, underscoring the scale of the explosion.
Officials Monitor Air Quality, Investigate Cause
Texas state Rep. Christian Manuel said the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality deployed air monitoring equipment to the site and is working alongside local and state agencies.
Valero has not publicly responded to requests for comment, though local reports indicate all employees at the facility have been accounted for.
Explosion Comes Amid Rising Gas Prices
The incident comes as gas prices continue to climb nationwide, driven in part by global oil supply uncertainty tied to the ongoing Iran war.
The Port Arthur refinery employs about 770 workers and can process roughly 435,000 barrels of oil per day, producing gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.
Emergency crews were able to fully extinguish the fire within hours, allowing officials to lift the shelter-in-place order and begin assessing the site.
