"Major industrial accident" sets off huge fire at ExxonMobil refinery near Houston

What the local sheriff called a "major industrial accident" led to a huge fire early Thursday at an ExxonMobil refinery in Baytown, Texas, near Houston.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez tweeted that "initial reports indicated some type of explosion occurred inside the plant."

He said there were apparently four people injured. Three were airlifted out and one was removed by ambulance.

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Flames and towers of smoke are seen at ExxonMobil refinery in Baytown, Texas, near Houston, early on December 23, 2021.

@_mollyfitzz

Gonzalez said there didn't appear to be any need for anyone to evacuate or shelter-in-place. 

ExxonMobil said in a statement that its "fire teams are working to extinguish the fire" and it was trying to account for everyone who might have been on-scene at the time. 

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Flames are seen from a distance at the ExxonMobil refinery in Baytown, Texas early on December 23, 2021.

@ironick_

"Our first priority remains the safety of people, including our employees, contractors and the surrounding community," the statement said, adding that, "As a precaution, we are beginning to conduct air quality monitoring at the site and fence line" and it was "cooperating with regulatory agencies."

This is a developing story. Please check back for further developments.   

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