A massive fire erupted Monday evening at the Valero refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, following an explosion that sent a column of smoke into the sky and rattled nearby homes.
Local residents reported hearing a loud boom and described a strong odor of sulfur, reminiscent of rotting eggs, 12 News reported. Antonio Mitchell of the Port Arthur Fire Department confirmed an incident occurred at the facility but said details remain limited.
“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.
Following reports of an explosion, a massive fire can be seen at the Valero oil refinery in Port Arthur, Texas. pic.twitter.com/I3UYBTS41A
Should local residents be advised to evacuate due to the refinery explosion in Port Arthur?— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 24, 2026
Jefferson County Sheriff Zena Stephens said the explosion may have involved a heater unit. She said authorities are closely monitoring air quality in the surrounding area. Officials issued a shelter-in-place advisory for residents on the west side of Port Arthur but emphasized that no evacuations are underway. The Texas Department of Transportation urged motorists to avoid the area.
Valero’s Port Arthur refinery, located on the Texas Gulf Coast roughly 90 miles east of Houston, employs about 770 workers, the outlet reported. The facility produces 435,000 barrels per day, refining heavy sour crude oil into gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. Authorities reported no injuries as of Monday night, and emergency crews are actively responding to contain the blaze and ensure the safety of nearby communities.
(Featured Image Media Credit: Screen Capture/PBS NewsHour)
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