Port Arthur explosion: Fire extinguished at Valero refinery, shelter-in-place lifted

Smoke still billows from Valero plant in Port Arthur after explosion

This smoke was seen rising from the scene of an explosion and fire at the Valero plant in Port Arthur, Texas, on Monday night.

PORT ARTHUR, Texas - A shelter-in-place has been lifted in Port Arthur following an explosion at the Valero refinery on Monday, officials say.

The fire has been extinguished.

Explosion reported in Port Arthur

According to the City of Port Arthur, an explosion was reported at the Valero refinery on Monday evening.

In a statement, Valero confirmed the fire in a unit at the refinery and said all personnel were accounted for. They said their emergency response team was coordinating with local authorities.

"As always, the safety of our workers is our top priority."

Smoke still billows from Valero plant in Port Arthur after explosion

This smoke was seen rising from the scene of an explosion and fire at the Valero plant in Port Arthur, Texas, on Monday night.

Both the Texas Department of Emergency Management and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality sent personnel to the scene. TCEQ said in a statement Monday that teams were monitoring air quality at the site.

"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." TCEQ spokesperson Laura Lopez said in a statement.

On Tuesday morning, the Jefferson County Office of Emergency Management said the fire was extinguished.

What they're saying:

Sheriff Zena Stephens told FOX Beaumont the explosion was likely caused by an industrial heater.

Officials also told FOX Beaumont that there were no reported injuries. 

AERIAL VIDEO: Pilot captures fire at Port Arthur Valero plant

A pilot in the area of the Port Arthur Valero plant captured the fire that occurred on Monday afternoon. 

Shelter-in-place lifted

Following the explosion, residents living on the west side of Port Arthur were asked to shelter in place, including from Stilwell west, south of Highway 73, Sabine Pass and Pleasure Island.

Roads surrounding the refinery were also closed.

On Tuesday morning, the county OEM said the shelter-in-place was lifted, and the roadways surrounding the refinery were reopened.

Sabine Pass ISD classes are canceled on Tuesday.