Breaking news out of Texas of an explosion at the Valero refinery in Port Arthur.
Details are scarce as of this writing, but the explosion has been confirmed:
12News viewers have called in to say that they heard a boom that rattled car windows.
Antonio Mitchell with the Port Arthur Fire Department confirmed there is an incident at the Valero facility but said details remain limited at this time.
“We don’t have units at the scene, currently, they’re rolling there now. The type of incident is unknown at this time,” Mitchell said.
Here are some photos and videos from the scene:
@TFL1728 you see this?https://t.co/lnGxhyEgLS
— emcon_delta (@emcon_delta) March 24, 2026
Valero in Port Arthur TX explosion pic.twitter.com/6ClCcv7ROG
— APRIl sCOTt #TEXIT (@AprilSc02338713) March 23, 2026
🚨 WATCH: Thick black smoke and flames billow from the Valero refinery in Port Arthur following a reported explosion.pic.twitter.com/NHU0C1J8Fu
— Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) March 24, 2026
🚨#BREAKING: A shelter-in-place has been issued after a major explosion occurred at a refinery plant
At this time, numerous emergency crews are on the scene following a major explosion at a Valero refinery. Large flames are visible, with heavy smoke… pic.twitter.com/qr1EXdlie5
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) March 24, 2026
KFDM reported that a “shelter-in-place order was issued for the west side of Port Arthur.” Also, they noted that Jefferson County Sheriff Zena Stephens suggested that “the explosion was likely caused by an industrial heater,” but no cause has been confirmed.
There have been no reports of injuries at this time.
Update: The City of Port Arthur shared this information on Facebook:
To ensure the safety of all residents in the vicinity and in light of the recent explosion at the Valero Refinery, an immediate shelter-in-place is ordered for the following:
**From Stilwell west
**South of Hwy 73
**Sabine Pass
**Pleasure Island
For your safety please remain in place until the “All Clear” is given by emergency personnel.
Fox 26 Houston reported that “Port Arthur officials said to expect road closures in and around the area of Highway 82 and Highway 87 and traffic coming into the area from additional roadways.”
Also per Fox 26:
Both the Texas Department of Emergency Management and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality have personnel at the scene.
Emergency response coordinators and regional staff have been deployed with handheld and mobile air monitoring assets in response to the Valero fire in Port Arthur, TX and are coordinating activities through incident command. Updates will be shared as available. pic.twitter.com/m1ReiymI7O
— Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (@TCEQ) March 24, 2026
The news outlet also shared that Valero claims all of their personnel are accounted for.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to RedState for updates.
Editor’s Note: Do you enjoy RedState’s conservative reporting that takes on the radical left and woke media? Support our work so that we can continue to bring you the truth.
Please join RedState VIP and use the promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your VIP membership!
