ARTESIA, N.M. – An explosion at an oil refinery in New Mexico caused a dense plume of smoke to rise from the plant, spreading over a large part of the city of Artesia.
The operator of the Navajo Refinery, HF Sinclair, stated that the fire which broke out on Friday has been extinguished.
Key Details:
Casualties: Three individuals were transported to a hospital for medical evaluation. There are no reports of any serious injuries.
Environmental Impact: A spokesperson for HF Sinclair, Corine Smith, said an assessment of the air quality at the refinery and the surrounding area determined there was no danger to the public.
Operational Impact: It is unclear whether the incident has affected production at the refinery.
All Clear: Authorities reported that the smoke had cleared by Friday afternoon and closed roads were reopened.
The refinery, which has a capacity of 100,000 barrels of crude oil per day, is the largest in New Mexico.
