Back-to-back fires at Valero refinery mark a troubling start to 2025
A Rising Crisis of Industrial Negligence Threatening Workers, Communities, and the Environment
As the people of Three Rivers, Texas celebrated New Year’s Day, a towering plume of black smoke erupted from the refinery on the south end of town. Officials assured them there was no cause for concern. But then, weeks later, another fire broke out—this time injuring workers. Valero’s history of refinery fires suggests these aren’t isolated incidents, but part of a troubling pattern.
The Valero Three Rivers Refinery, located between San Antonio and Corpus Christi, has already had two fires in 2025. These follow closely on the heels of a December 2024 fire at Valero’s Port Arthur, Texas plant, only the most recent in a string of troubling fires and explosions at Valero refineries and plants.
The first fire of 2025, on New Year's Day, was large enough to concern neighbors. A large plume of black smoke towered above the refinery, but state officials reported no air quality concerns. The company reported no injuries and did not explain how the fire started.
The second fire at the Valero refinery occurred on January 26. The Progress newspaper reported it as a flash fire. The fire injured several workers sending at least three to the hospital for treatment of burns and other injuries. When asked for more details, Valero did not reply to the outlet.
Valero has a history of fires and explosions at its refineries and petrochemical plants. Recent fire incidents at Valero’s Corpus Christi plant include a 2018 fire, a November 2022 fire, a May 2023 fire, and again in October 2023. In April 2022, an explosion and fire at the Meraux, Louisiana Valero refinery injured at least eight workers. Another explosion and fire at a Valero plant in Louisiana, this time in the St. Bernard Parish, injured at least eight in 2020.
Valero must improve its safety record
Two fires at the same Texas petrochemical plant in the opening weeks of 2025 are enough to raise new alarms and underscore the concerning pattern of industrial negligence in the oil and gas industry in the Gulf Coast. These fires and explosions, including the three most recent ones, which occurred within a short span of time, highlight potential failures in both company oversight and regulatory enforcement. This puts workers, nearby residents, and the environment at risk.
Both federal and state regulators must complete a comprehensive investigation to determine the causes of these fires and what measures need to be taken to prevent future incidents and injury to workers. If evidence of systemic negligence emerges, we hope authorities will take decisive action, including imposing significant fines, enhancing oversight, and even suspending operations until necessary safety improvements are made. Public outcry is signaling growing pressure for Texas lawmakers to strengthen regulations, ensuring that petrochemical companies adhere to stricter safety measures and prioritize public welfare over corporate profits.
The number of oil and gas plant fires and explosions in Texas and Louisiana has quadrupled in the last five years. Read our coverage of the accelerating incidents of fires and explosions at refineries and petrochemical plants in Texas and Louisiana.
