Port Arthur Refinery Blast Forces Shelter-in-Place on Texas Coast

A large explosion at Valero's Port Arthur refinery near the Texas coast produced a thick smoke plume and prompted officials to tell residents on the west side to shelter in place while firefighters battled the fire. There were no reported injuries. The refinery, which employs about 770 people and processes roughly 435,000 barrels per day, remains under monitoring as air-quality checks are conducted. Residents were urged to limit outdoor activity and stay indoors, and gas prices have spiked amid broader concerns about global oil supply linked to the Iran war.