A significant explosion at a Texas crude oil refinery on Monday sent thick, black smoke into the air and rattled the homes of nearby residents. This prompted officials to issue a shelter-in-place order.
The incident occurred in the afternoon at the Valero refinery, creating a loud bang that could be heard throughout west Port Arthur, Texas, according to local reports.
The smoke raised health concerns, leading city officials to recommend that residents in the west end stay indoors.
One witness described the scene, noting that the air smelled like rotten eggs, a scent typically linked to sulfur.
Residents reported feeling their homes and vehicles shake from the force of the explosion.
Jefferson County Sheriff Zena Stevens mentioned that the explosion might be linked to a heating system issue at the refinery.
Authorities were on site monitoring air quality as smoke billowed from the refinery throughout the day.
As of Monday night, no injuries had been reported. A spokesperson for Valero Energy Corporation stated that all employees were accounted for.
The Valero Port Arthur Refinery, located near the Texas Gulf Coast along the Texas-Louisiana border, employs around 770 workers and is capable of producing over 435,000 barrels of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel daily.
Local residents expressed surprise that no evacuation orders were issued, given the intensity of the explosion.
One resident remarked, “We need to evacuate until it calms down.” Another voiced concern that the chemicals could affect a much larger area, especially since Groves, Texas, is just nine miles away.
One man added, “They’re still flying all over the country, not just the West.”
Port Arthur has an estimated population of around 55,000.
