Texas: Huge explosion at oil refinery leaves multiple casualties

Texas: Huge explosion at oil refinery causes multiple casualties.

A “major industrial accident” was declared on Thursday, December 23, after a huge explosion at an oil refinery in Texas leaves multiple casualties.

Reports of the fire emerged at around 1 am local time following a large explosion at the Exxon/Mobile refinery in Baytown, Texas.

At least four people were injured, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

A statement from ExxonMobile Baytown confirmed the incident: “A fire has occurred at the Baytown Refinery. Our fire teams are working to extinguish the fire. We are conducting personnel accounting.

“Our first priority remains the safety of people, including our employees, contractors, and the surrounding community. As a precaution, our Industrial Hygiene staff is commencing air quality monitoring at the site and fence line.

“We are coordinating with authorities as appropriate. We deeply regret any disruption or inconvenience that this incident may have caused the community.”

One Twitter user was quick to point out that it wasn’t just a fire, writing: “little more than a fire, my house shook to its foundation miles away from you.”

Another user said: “Explosion at Exxon! It rumbled my apartment and knocked my pictures off the wall.”

One user shared: “Hope and pray that everyone at Exxon tonight is safe.”

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said initial reports suggested that “some type of explosion” had occurred inside the plant.