Residents near Port Arthur are urged to shelter after an explosion at the Valero refinery.
PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Reports are flooding in from around Mid-County that there was an explosion followed by a pillar of smoke rising from the Valero refinery in Port Arthur.
12News viewers have called in to say that they heard a boom that rattled car windows.
Antonio Mitchell with the Port Arthur Fire Department confirmed there is an incident at the Valero facility but said details remain limited at this time.
“We don’t have units at the scene, currently, they’re rolling there now. The type of incident is unknown at this time,” Mitchell said.
Port Arthur Police and Fire Departments are advising residents on the west side of the city to shelter in place at this time, according to an emergency alert.
12News is on the way to the scene and is working to learn more.
This is a developing story. We will update with more information as it becomes available.