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ForgoTheConsequence

(5,184 posts)
Mon Mar 23, 2026, 09:14 PM 17 hrs ago

Explosion reported at refinery in Port Arthur, Texas; shelter-in-place issued

Source: BNO News

An explosion followed by a fire was reported at a Valero refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, with police advising some nearby residents to shelter in place. It was not immediately clear if anyone was injured.

Port Arthur police said Monday that residents on the west side of the city should shelter in place. Port Arthur is in southeastern Texas near the Louisiana border.

The explosion was reported at about 6:30 p.m. local time. Antonio Mitchell with the Port Arthur Fire Department confirmed to KBMT that there was an incident at the Valero facility, though details remained limited.

Videos shared on social media showed a large fire and a large plume of smoke rising from the refinery. One home surveillance video appeared to capture the moment of the explosion, with a loud boom shaking the area.

The cause of the explosion and fire was not immediately known. Officials had not released any information about possible victims.

Read more: https://bnonews.com/index.php/2026/03/explosion-reported-at-refinery-in-port-arthur-texas-shelter-in-place-issued/



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Explosion reported at refinery in Port Arthur, Texas; shelter-in-place issued (Original Post) ForgoTheConsequence 17 hrs ago OP
Great... 2naSalit 16 hrs ago #1
They said it was a heater. ForgoTheConsequence 16 hrs ago #2
Thanks... 2naSalit 16 hrs ago #4
They've had this happen before. ananda 16 hrs ago #5
A gun? ...just kidding. C Moon 14 hrs ago #7
I wondered if this might happen....the second largest refinery in the US (Motiva) is located walkingman 16 hrs ago #3
is this the refinery getting the Venezuelan crude? gab13by13 15 hrs ago #6

walkingman

(10,800 posts)
3. I wondered if this might happen....the second largest refinery in the US (Motiva) is located
Mon Mar 23, 2026, 09:52 PM
16 hrs ago

in Port Arthur which is a joint venture of Saudi Arabia/Texaco. The largest is at Texas City, Tx very close to Galveston. They are surrounded by chemical and other fossil fuel plants...a very volatile area which could easily go up in flames.

I'm sure they are under heightened security but the entire ship channel is full of these types of plants.

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