Massive explosion reported at Valero refinery in Texas

PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Reports were flooding in Monday evening about an explosion followed by a pillar of smoke rising from the Valero refinery in Port Arthur, Texas.

Antonio Mitchell with the Port Arthur Fire Department confirmed there were an incident at the Valero facility but said details remained limited at this time.

The Valero Port Arthur Refinery is on the Texas Gulf coast, about 90 miles east of Houston, and employs about 770 workers. It produces 435,000 barrels per day and processes heavy sour crude oil into gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, according to its website.

This is a developing story that will be updated when more information becomes available.

Massive explosion reported at Valero refinery in Texas

An explosion was reported Monday evening at the Valero refinery in Port Arthur, Texas. (Abby Castleman)

www.wcnc.com

 

[1LoverofGod]

From Amir's Telegram channel.....

A Saudi X account posted a specific threat against the Port Arthur Motiva refinery one hour before the nearby Valero explosion in the same city. He deleted the post and all 4,739 of his previous tweets immediately after.

(@ amuse on X)

Amir Tsarfati

A Saudi X account posted a specific threat against the Port Arthur Motiva refinery one hour before the nearby Valero explosion in the same city. He deleted the post and all 4,739 of his previous tweets immediately after. (@ amuse on X)

t.me

 

[mattfivefour]

It seems too coincidental to be anything but a terrorist attack. But sometimes coincidences do happen. So I guess we'll see.

According to local news channel KFDM, the Valley Public Affairs Manager says, "Currently, there is a fire in a unit at Valero’s Port Arthur, Texas refinery. All personnel have been accounted for. Valero's emergency response team is responding and coordinating with local authorities. As a precaution, Jefferson County officials have closed State Highways 82 and 87. As always, the safety of our workers is our top priority."

That information is confirmed bySheriff Zena Stephens and Port Arthur Police Chief Tim Duriso tell KFDM News there are no reported injuries and all workers are accounted for following the blast at about 6:30 Monday night. Sheriff Stephens told KFDM there are no evacuations. She says Valero is getting water on the fire and working to put it out. By 9:30, crews in Port Arthur saw only flaring at the plant, with no other flames visible.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Guess I should go get gas before they ratchet the price up

 

[Tall Timbers]

Since we're at war it is likely an act of war. The acts of war by the assets of the country you're at war with aren't terrorist attacks even though everything seems to fall under "terrorism" nowadays.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Since we're at war it is likely an act of war. The acts of war by the assets of the country you're at war with aren't terrorist attacks even though everything seems to fall under "terrorism" nowadays.

FWIW, envelopes containing recall notices have a return address of the specific service.

 

[Andy C]

No terrorism here, plant accidental release of toxic chemicals caused the explosion.