TEXAS CITY — One person was killed and at least two injured after an explosion at the Valero refinery in Texas City on Friday night.
Valero spokesman Fred Newhouse said he could not confirm which unit had the explosion, which happened about 9 p.m. Emergency management officials confirmed that the explosion happened at a boiler within the refinery.
Both of the injured were taken to Mainland Medical Center in Texas City. Their injuries were not listed as life threatening, officials said.
A third Valero employee was taken to the hospital after complaining of heart problems.
Texas City Emergency Management coordinator Bruce Clawson said that the explosion was never a threat to the community. There was no release of any dangerous chemicals, he said.
Valero spokesman Bill Day said the name of the person killed was being withheld until family was notified.
Day said the fatality was the first at the refinery since Valero purchased the refinery from Basis Petroleum in 1997. The refinery, originally known as Texas City Refinery has been in Texas City since 1908.
The refinery is not without its problems, though. During a 14-month period ending in February of 2007, the refinery on Loop 197 had at six high profile fires or explosions.
The refinery came under fire this summer from Texas City authorities for failing to notify the city’s emergency management officials about low-level incidents at the plant. That problem appeared to be resolved following face-to-face meetings in June.
Clawson said Texas City officials were notified about Friday’s incident within minutes of the blast.
The blast shook nerves, including those of residents in Tiki Island and Bayou Vista, which are south of the Valero refinery.
Jacki Booth said the explosion shook her Tiki Island house.
”We did not know what was happening,” she said. “We went out on dock and so did our neighbors and tried to look over to Texas City.”
Day said that the extent of the damage at the refinery wasn’t known early Saturday morning.
”The refinery is operating and there is no environmental impact to the surrounding area,” Day said.
Valero Texas City is a 290-acre refinery that has the capacity to process 250,000 barrels of oil per day. The refinery employs about 500 workers.
The refinery produces gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel and jet fuel.
KHOU-TV contributed to this report through a content partnership with The Daily News.
Valero spokesman Fred Newhouse said he could not confirm which unit had the explosion, which happened about 9 p.m. Emergency management officials confirmed that the explosion happened at a boiler within the refinery.
Both of the injured were taken to Mainland Medical Center in Texas City. Their injuries were not listed as life threatening, officials said.
A third Valero employee was taken to the hospital after complaining of heart problems.
Texas City Emergency Management coordinator Bruce Clawson said that the explosion was never a threat to the community. There was no release of any dangerous chemicals, he said.
Valero spokesman Bill Day said the name of the person killed was being withheld until family was notified.
Day said the fatality was the first at the refinery since Valero purchased the refinery from Basis Petroleum in 1997. The refinery, originally known as Texas City Refinery has been in Texas City since 1908.
The refinery is not without its problems, though. During a 14-month period ending in February of 2007, the refinery on Loop 197 had at six high profile fires or explosions.
The refinery came under fire this summer from Texas City authorities for failing to notify the city’s emergency management officials about low-level incidents at the plant. That problem appeared to be resolved following face-to-face meetings in June.
Clawson said Texas City officials were notified about Friday’s incident within minutes of the blast.
The blast shook nerves, including those of residents in Tiki Island and Bayou Vista, which are south of the Valero refinery.
Jacki Booth said the explosion shook her Tiki Island house.
”We did not know what was happening,” she said. “We went out on dock and so did our neighbors and tried to look over to Texas City.”
Day said that the extent of the damage at the refinery wasn’t known early Saturday morning.
”The refinery is operating and there is no environmental impact to the surrounding area,” Day said.
Valero Texas City is a 290-acre refinery that has the capacity to process 250,000 barrels of oil per day. The refinery employs about 500 workers.
The refinery produces gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel and jet fuel.
KHOU-TV contributed to this report through a content partnership with The Daily News.
This story was brought to you thanks to khou.com's partnership with The Galveston County Daily News.
