A massive explosion at the ExxonMobil oil refinery rocked Texas last night around 1 am.
Footage released on different social media platforms showcased that the oil refinery was engulfed in flames that were touching the sky along with “thick black smoke” that billowed the area covering San Jacinto Bay.
Ed Gonzalez, the county sheriff of Harris stated “at least four people may be injured. Three people have been taken to hospital by life flight and one by ambulance.”
The reason for the unfortunate blast is still unknown.
ExxonMobil is considered one of the oldest oil refineries of the United States of America established in 1919. It is a huge complex that comprises over 3400 acres. The productivity surpasses 561,000 barrels per day.
This massive explosion was termed a “major industrial accident.”
ExxonMobil released an official statement soon after the massive blast stating “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.”
No evacuation orders or shelter places were defined by the management of the oil refinery.
Users took over Twitter after the unfortunate incident rocked Texas.
Social media users took to Twitter to say they had heard a “boom”.
One Twitter user said: “Explosion at
Exxon! It rumbled through my apartment and knocked my pictures off the wall.”
Another commented: “Exxon explosion made my whole f** house shake (sic).”
And a third posted: “Exxon explosion made my house jump for LMAO wtffff.”
Some said the “boom” sounded like a “freight train connecting with cars” outside their home, while others compared it to a “sonic wave”.
The county sheriff tweeted: “Deputies are on the scene of a major
industrial accident at 3525 Decker Dr. in Baytown. The Exxon/Mobile plant. Some injuries have been reported. Please avoid the area.”
