A massive explosion at a Valero refinery in Port Arthur, Texas has left residents shaken, with eyewitnesses describing it as one of the most powerful blasts in decades.
Authorities continue to enforce a shelter-in-place order and investigate the cause, with officials yet to confirm casualties.
Witnesses have reported loud blasts that rocked car windows, prompting emergency alerts for nearby communities.
Long-time resident John Beard described the explosion as 'tremendous' and said the scene after the blast was 'catastrophic.'
Beard anticipated that the explosion may disrupt the entire refinery, citing other units catching fire and releasing massive amounts of gas.
Videos and audio clips circulating on social media captured the intensity of the blast, with a loud shockwave heard seconds before flames and smoke engulfed parts of the facility.
