An explosion at Valero refinery in Port Arthur led officials to order a shelter-in-place, stating no injuries. Air quality and fire response are underway.
PORT ARTHUR, Texas — An explosion and large plume of smoke at the Valero refinery in Port Arthur prompted officials to order west-side residents to shelter in place, while nearby Nederland reported no impact from the incident Monday.
The shelter-in-place was issued for the west side of Port Arthur from Stilwell West to South of 73. Pleasure Island and Sabine Pass is included in the shelter-in-place.
Antonio Mitchell with the Port Arthur Fire Department confirmed an incident at the Valero facility.
“The type of incident is unknown at this time,” Mitchell said not long after the explosion as his crews headed to the scene.
Jefferson County Sheriff Zena Stephens said the incident may have involved a heater unit. No injuries have been reported, and no evacuations have been ordered. Officials are monitoring air quality in the area.
All personnel have been accounted for.
Interim Port Arthur Fire Chief Louie Havens said two engines were initially sent to the refinery and a hazmat team is being deployed to Valero. Havens also confirmed there have been no injuries or deaths reported. Beaumont Fire Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office are assisting the Port Arthur Fire Department.
Witnesses across the Mid-County area reported hearing a loud boom that rattled car windows. A resident near the scene told a 12News crew the area smelled of rotten eggs.
Valero sent a statement to 12News reading:
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.
Sabine Pass ISD announced it will be closed Tuesday, March 23, due to the incident.
Port Arthur Mayor Charlotte Moses said a group of children is currently stuck in Sabine Pass because buses have not been able to get through the road closures.
The City of Nederland issued a statement through the Southeast Texas Alerting Network saying its police and fire departments are actively patrolling and conducting air monitoring on the south side of the city.
“At this time, there is no impact to the City of Nederland,” officials said, adding that updates would be provided if conditions change.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said emergency response coordinators and regional staff have been deployed with handheld and mobile air monitoring assets in response to the Valero fire in Port Arthur and are coordinating through incident command. Officials said updates will be shared as they become available.
The Texas Department of Transportation urged drivers to avoid the area, asking motorists to steer clear of SH 87 and SH 82 near the refinery.
This is a developing story. We will update with more information as it becomes available.