CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Firefighters are working to put out a massive fire along refinery row in Corpus Christi.
According to Corpus Christi police, the incident happened near Lantana and along River Road. Authorities told KRIS-TV the fire may be coming from EPIC Products near Lantana and Navigation. Authorities said six people have been transported to the hospital.
Fire Crews are working an incident near Lantana and Up River Rd. Please avoid the area if possible.
— Corpus Christi PD (@CorpusChristiPD) August 21, 2020
Authorities told KRIS-TV the fire ignited on a barge, which is on fire. The fire then spread from the pipeline to the grain elevator, they said.
Multiple people ended up in the water during the explosion and were rescued by Valero personnel, KRIS-TV said. According to some reports, victims burned in the explosion were flown to Brooks Army Medical Center burn units. The Coast Guard said they rescued two crewmembers and continue to search for four missing crewmembers from the dredging vessel Waymon L. Boyd after it caught fire Friday in the Port of Corpus Christi Ship Channel.
Massive fire reported at the port. Four people have been transported to the hospital.
Posted by KRIS 6 News on Friday, 21 August 2020
KRIS-TV said they were told a new pipeline was going in at the facility and there was a pipeline rupture.
The Coast Guard captain of the Port of Corpus Christi has closed the Inner Harbor from Harbor Bridge inward of the Ship channel. Police are asking people to avoid the area.