Shelter-in-Place Ordered in Texas City After Fire at Marathon Refinery

Overview

• Texas City authorities issued a shelter-in-place for a portion of the city that now covers 14th Street to 34th Street and told residents to remain indoors until officials lift the order.
• The fire was reported at the Marathon Refinery near Highway 146 and 5th Avenue South and first prompted a wider shelter order that was later narrowed by police.
• Emergency responders and the Texas City Office of Emergency Management are on scene actively monitoring the blaze and measuring air quality for hazardous contaminants.
• Officials reported no injuries and early air monitoring did not detect chemicals, but they kept the shelter-in-place in effect because a large smoky plume continued to drift through the area.
• Local outlets have contacted Marathon for more information and officials say the shelter will be lifted only after on-scene assessments and air readings show it is safe to do so.