Refinery blast hurts 4, shuts road, schools
Thunderous explosions rocked an oil refinery in Big Spring, injuring four workers and shaking buildings miles away.
The blast at Alon USA Energy Inc. sent black smoke billowing and forced the closure of schools and an interstate.
Fires caused by the blast were under control but still burning in the afternoon. The company was waiting for access to the site to investigate the cause of the explosion. The refinery was shut down.
One employee was hospitalized for burns, and the others were treated and released, said company spokesman Blake Lewis.
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