Valero oil refinery explosion in Texas prompts shelter in place
Fox Business • • nation
Key Points:
- An explosion and fire occurred Monday at Valero's Port Arthur Refinery in Texas, prompting a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents due to large smoke plumes.
- The refinery processes about 435,000 barrels daily and employs around 770 workers; no injuries have been reported according to local officials.
- Port Arthur Mayor Charlotte Moses confirmed the explosion but assured that emergency responders are actively working to control the fire.
- Authorities closed State Highways 82 and 87 as a precaution, and air quality monitoring is ongoing with coordination between Valero, local officials, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
- The probable cause of the explosion was identified as an industrial heater, according to Jefferson County Sheriff Zena Stephens.
