Texas Schools Evacuated, Closed as Explosion Rocks Oil Refinery & Community

by PEP | February 18, 2008 at 09:19 am | 787 views | 8 comments

Over the past few years, Texas has seen a number of oil refinery explosions and accidents. It's a dangerous business.

An explosion rocked an oil refinery Monday in a violent blast that shook buildings miles away and injured at least one person, the company said.

All workers were accounted for about an hour after the explosion, said Blake Lewis, spokesman for refinery owner Alon USA. The injured worker was in the hospital, but the person's condition was not known, Lewis said.

The fire sparked by the blast was under control Monday morning, Lewis said. The Dallas-based company does not know what caused the explosion, he said.

The blast sent black smoke billowing into the sky, closed schools, shut down an interstate and left residents rattled.

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PEP

at 09:21 on February 18th, 2008

This is comprehensive coverage from a local source.

The Big Spring Herald is developing more on the story.

Rachel Nixon

at 09:33 on February 18th, 2008

news wanted:

I think this is an important story and would benefit from other NowPublic contributors working on it. I've flagged it as News Wanted and invite others in relevant locations to look for more evidence.

PEP

at 10:22 on February 18th, 2008

Thanks, Rachel. The Big Spring Herald has now posted more photos.

bodybritetx

at 11:13 on February 18th, 2008

I was awaken by a loud blast that rattled the windows! A friend called to tell me of the explosion at the Alon Refinery. I then grabbed my camera and took photo's from
various areas around Big Spring and country side.

bodybritetx has contributed a photo to this story.

Rachel Nixon

at 11:26 on February 18th, 2008

good stuff:

PEP and bodybritetx - thanks for the updates and for the photos. Dramatic stuff.

Mountaineer

at 11:36 on February 18th, 2008

We need to have congress pass new Laws regulating Oil Refinery Bombers. This is the only way to control people from doing this kind of thing. We need more LAWS!

amyjudd

at 16:33 on February 18th, 2008

It is now being reported that four workers have been hurt due to the refinery explosion earlier today, but it is still not known what caused the blast.

According to the Associated Press, one worker was taken to hospital with burns, and three were treated at the scene; one for a concussion, and two for hearing problems.

Click here to read the full article from the AP.