NEW YORK, March 23 (Xinhua) -- A huge pillar of smoke rose following a massive explosion Monday evening at a refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, local 12newsnow.com reported.
Witnesses said they heard a boom that rattled car windows, and one resident at the scene said the area smelled of rotted eggs.
There was an incident at the Valero facility, but there were limited details at the time, Antonio Mitchell with the Port Arthur Fire Department was quoted as saying.
Jefferson County Sheriff Zena Stephens said the blast might have involved a heater unit. Officials were monitoring air quality in the area.
Port Arthur police and fire departments advised residents nearby to shelter in place, but no evacuations have been ordered. The Texas Department of Transportation also urged drivers to avoid the area.
No injuries have been reported at this time, said the report. ■
