Possible Cause of Deadly Refinery Blast Identified
Investigators said it appeared likely some sort of spark combined with hydrocarbon liquid and vapor to set off the fiery refinery explosion that killed 15 people and injured more than 100 others in Texas City last week.
Investigators are considering the possibility that a car’s ignition caused the blast in the plant’s isomerization unit, which boosts octane levels in gasoline, said U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board spokesman Daniel Horowitz.
“Witness evidence points to possible ignition sources on the ground,” CSB manager Bill Hoyle said.
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