Trending Now - Texas Refinery Explosion Creates Massive Smoke Cloud, No Injuries Reported

WHO:

Carol Hebert, Valero Public Affairs Manager, stated, "Currently, there is a fire in a unit at Valero’s Port Arthur, Texas refinery."

Texas state Rep. Christian Manuel advised residents, “Please limit outdoor activity, keep windows and doors closed, and follow guidance from local officials.”

Mayor Charlotte M. Moses, Port Arthur, Texas

Texas state Rep. Christian Manuel

Sheriff Zena Stephens, Port Arthur Police Chief Tim Duriso

Carol Hebert, Valero Public Affairs Manager

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)

WHAT:

The explosion occurred at approximately 6:30 PM on March 23rd, 2026.

The fire involves a heater unit at the Valero refinery.

By 9:30 PM on March 23rd, 2026, only flaring was visible at the plant, with no other flames reported.

Jefferson County officials closed portions of State Highways 82 and 87 leading into Port Arthur from Pleasure Island and Sabine Pass.

The explosion involved a heater unit at the Valero refinery.

Sheriff Zena Stephens confirmed that homes shook miles away from the explosion.

By 9:30 PM on March 23rd, 2026, only flaring was visible at the plant, with no other flames reported.

The City of Port Arthur advised residents to remain indoors until the 'All Clear' was given by emergency personnel.

A large explosion occurred at the Valero refinery in Port Arthur, Texas.

The explosion forced nearby residents to shelter in place.

No injuries were reported, and all workers were accounted for.

The refinery has approximately 770 employees and can process about 435,000 barrels of oil per day.

Jefferson County officials closed State Highways 82 and 87 as a precaution.

Sabine Pass ISD was closed on March 24th, 2026, due to the incident.

Emergency response teams were deployed to manage the situation.

WHERE:

The shelter-in-place order was specifically for the west side of Port Arthur, Sabine Pass, and Pleasure Island.

Valero refinery, Port Arthur, Texas, approximately 90 miles (145 kilometers) east of Houston.

Areas affected include the west side of Port Arthur, Sabine Pass, and Pleasure Island.

WHEN:

Sabine Pass ISD was closed on March 25th, 2026, due to the incident.

The explosion occurred on March 23rd, 2026, at approximately 6:30 PM.

Sabine Pass ISD was closed on March 24th, 2026.

WHY:

The explosion occurred amid a spike in gas prices driven by uncertainty over the global oil supply due to the Iran war.

HOW:

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is monitoring air quality with handheld and mobile air monitoring assets in response to the Valero fire.

Valero's emergency response team is coordinating with local authorities to manage the fire and ensure safety.

Firefighters and Valero's emergency response team were deployed to extinguish the fire.

The TCEQ arrived at the refinery with air monitoring equipment to assess air quality.

(UPDATED March 24, 2026 15:52 UTC)

A fire broke out in a unit at Valero’s Port Arthur refinery following an explosion that occurred around 6:30 PM on March 23. Texas state Rep. Christian Manuel has urged residents to limit outdoor activities and keep windows and doors closed, while Jefferson County officials have closed portions of State Highways 82 and 87 leading into Port Arthur. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is actively monitoring air quality in the area, and Sabine Pass ISD has announced it will be closed on March 25 due to the incident.

(UPDATED March 24, 2026 11:28 UTC)

An explosion at the Valero refinery shook homes miles away, prompting the City of Port Arthur to issue a shelter-in-place order for the west side of the city, Sabine Pass, and Pleasure Island. By last night, only flaring was visible at the plant, and residents have been advised to stay indoors until emergency personnel give the 'All Clear.' In response to the incident, Sabine Pass ISD will be closed on March 25, as Valero's emergency response team works with local authorities to manage the situation and ensure safety.

(UPDATED March 24, 2026 05:41 UTC)

A large explosion rocked the Valero refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, on March 23 at around 6:30 PM, prompting nearby residents to shelter in place while emergency response teams, including firefighters and the refinery's own emergency crew, were deployed to manage the situation. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, all workers were accounted for, and Jefferson County officials closed State Highways 82 and 87 as a precaution, with Sabine Pass ISD also shutting down today. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality arrived on the scene with air monitoring equipment to assess air quality, as the explosion occurred during a time of rising gas prices linked to global oil supply uncertainties due to the ongoing conflict in Iran.