Texas residents feel homes shake miles away from oil refinery explosion

An explosion at the Valero oil refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, on Monday caused residents miles away to feel their homes shake. The fire was extinguished, and a temporary shelter-in-place order was lifted. No injuries were reported. The refinery, which employs about 770 people, processes approximately 435,000 barrels of oil daily. The cause of the explosion is currently unknown. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is monitoring air quality in the area. The incident occurred amidst concerns about rising gas prices due to global oil supply uncertainty.

A large explosion occurred at the Valero refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, on Monday, prompting a shelter-in-place order for residents on the city's west side. No injuries were reported, and firefighters are working to extinguish the blaze. The explosion at the refinery, which processes approximately 435,000 barrels of oil per day, sent plumes of smoke into the air and caused some residents to hear a loud boom. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is monitoring air quality, and officials are advising residents to stay indoors with windows and doors closed. The incident comes amid rising gas prices due to global oil supply concerns related to the Iran war.

On March 24, 2026, an explosion at a Valero oil refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, caused a fire. Video footage shows flames and heavy smoke emanating from the site. Local police reported to media outlets that an industrial heater is suspected to be the cause of the blaze. As of the time of the report, there were no reported injuries resulting from the incident. The extent of the damage to the refinery is currently unknown.