A fire broke out at the Marathon Oil refinery in Texas City’s Galveston Bay area on Saturday afternoon, causing thick black smoke in the nearby areas. Videos of the fire surfaced which showed serious damage caused by the fire even as firefighters responded at the oil refinery on 5th Avenue South, east of 25th Street South. It was not clear if anyone was injured in the incident. However, the smoke could potentially cause significant decrease in the air quality, the Texas City Fire Department said.
An evacuation order was issued for 29th Street to Bay Street as the Texas City Fire Department monitored the air quality situation. Other residents in nearby areas were asked to keep their doors and windows closed.
This story is being updated.