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One person was injured after Valero refinery in St. Bernard Parish caught fire on Friday morning (April 10). The fire broke out at around 12:45 a.m., said Lillian Riojas, Valero spokeswoman. The injured worker was rushed to a local hospital, although the severity of the injuries was not disclosed at the time of first reporting.

St. Bernard Highway was temporarily closed, giving way to Valero’s emergency response team in collaboration with St. Bernard Parish Fire Department to put out the fire. Riojas said that the firefighters managed to contain the blaze to the immediate area, and there was no potential off-site impact.

The St. Bernard Fire Association and nearby residents shared several videos and photos on social media pages early Friday, showing the visible flames. The residents claimed the explosion was strong enough that it shook their homes and set off car alarms.

Cause of the Explosion and Fire

It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the explosion and fire. The early emerging reports indicated the explosion occurred after a pressure relief valve blew, according to Gregory Langley, a spokesman for the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ).

Potential chemical emissions

Valero refinery couldn’t confirm if there were any chemical emissions, but they had contacted the appropriate agencies. LDEQ crew was on the scene of the incident to actively monitor the state of air quality outside the refinery fence line, said Langley.

While official results were not immediately available for the public, it’s unlikely that chemicals were released into the atmosphere because the ambient monitors in St. Bernard Parish didn’t catch any increase.

A DEQ report, detailing the cause of the explosion and possible chemical emissions, will be made ready by Valero within seven days after the incident.

A similar fire incident occurred this year in February at ExxonMobil refinery in Baton Rouge. Fortunately, no person was injured. However, the frequency of occurrence of the accidents highlights the danger of working at refineries and chemical plants.

Consult a New Orleans industrial accident lawyer

If you or a family member has suffered injuries during industrial operations, get in touch with an experienced industrial accident lawyer to evaluate your legal options. A skilled and trusted New Orleans personal injury lawyer like Mike Mahone will help you understand the laws and regulations applying to industrial accidents and then seek compensation. Call (504) 564-7342 to request a free case evaluation.

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