A massive explosion tore through one of the country’s largest oil refineries Monday, sending towering plumes of smoke into the sky and forcing nearby residents to shelter in place. The blast struck the Valero refinery near the Texas coast, around 90 miles east of Houston—a facility capable of processing 435,000 barrels of oil per day and employing about 770 workers. No injuries were reported. “There’s been an explosion, yes, but we’re OK; everybody’s OK,” the local mayor said. “They’re trying to put the fire out as quickly as possible.” The timing could hardly be worse. Gas prices are already spiking amid global supply uncertainty driven by President Donald Trump’s war in Iran. Early indications on Tuesday showed that the price of oil was ticking back up to around $102 a barrel after a slight reprieve caused by Trump’s insistence (since contradicted by Iran) that peace could be on the horizon. Texas state Rep. Christian Manuel urged residents near the refinery to stay indoors. “Please limit outdoor activity, keep windows and doors closed, and follow guidance from local officials,” he said.
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