A fire broke out at the Valero refinery in Port Arthur, Texas on Monday, March 23, with reports of a suspected explosion. Local authorities immediately issued a shelter-in-place order for residents on the west side of Port Arthur, urging people to close doors and windows and stay indoors.
According to the latest information, there have been no reports of casualties so far.
Sheriff Zena Stephens of Jefferson County indicated that the incident was likely caused by an industrial heater.
Port Arthur Fire Department dispatched personnel to the scene following the accident. Acting Fire Chief Louie Havens mentioned that initially two fire trucks were sent to the refinery, and a hazardous materials response team was also being deployed to Valero.
Havens confirmed that there have been no reports of injuries or fatalities at this time. Beaumont Fire Department and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office are assisting the Port Arthur Fire Department.
Eyewitnesses described a huge explosion at the time of the fire, with the force being so strong that it “shook car windows”, followed by a massive column of smoke rising into the sky. Nearby residents reported smelling a odor resembling “rotten eggs” at the scene.
In response, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has dispatched emergency response coordinators and regional staff to monitor air quality at the site using handheld and mobile monitoring equipment.
Due to the incident, the Texas Department of Transportation urged drivers to avoid Highways 87 and 82 near the refinery, as these sections of roads have been closed off.
Although the neighboring city of Nederland has stated that it has not been directly affected at present, its fire department has intensified patrols on the south side of the city and is simultaneously monitoring air quality.
The Valero refinery in Port Arthur, which has a massive capacity of 380,000 barrels per day, has yet to provide an immediate response to the incident.