Valero’s Texas City refinery was rocked by an explosion last night, setting off a massive fire that burned for more than an hour before it was contained.
Fortunately, all workers were accounted for after the blast, and it appears as though no one was injured.
Explosion Could be Felt Nearly 2 Miles Away
The Valero refinery occupies around 290 acres in Texas City’s industrial park, near the Texas Ship Channel and approximately 40 miles southeast of Houston.
The explosion occurred around 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 19th, on a 12,000-bpd alkylation unit where refining by-products are converted into components for gasoline.
It’s not clear if any other units at the Valero refinery were impacted.
The force of the blast shook buildings nearly 2 miles away from the facility and was heard by those within a 5-mile radius.
“I was in the backyard with the kids and heard two booms and saw fireballs,” Texas City resident Kimber Schwamb told the Galveston Daily News.
Valero Refinery Explosion Declared a Level 3 Emergency
Valero declared a Level 3 Emergency shortly after the explosion.
Responders closed state Highway 197 at state Highway 146, and FM 519 at state Highway 146. Fifth Avenue South was closed at 21st Street South.
Workers at the facility, as well as those at the adjacent Marathon refinery, were ordered to shelter-in-place.
While a similar order was never issued for Texas City, students attending activities at nearby schools were kept inside until district officials were given the all clear at 5:30 p.m.
Valero Refinery Fire Contained in 90 Minutes
It took firefighting units from Texas City, Valero and the Marathon refinery about 90 minutes to contain the blaze.
Shelter orders were lifted by 6:30 p.m.
Officials have yet to determine what caused Thursday’s explosion.
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