Posted 3/31/2004 04:52:00 PM by Douglas

Sounds like a good day to be on the north side of Texas City.

A series of explosions erupted Tuesday night at the BP Refinery here, sending 10 people to the hospital for chemical exposure, prompting local officials to tell nearby residents to remain indoors for about 2 1/2 hours and sending oil prices higher.

At least three blasts at one of the nation's largest refineries were heard about 6:30 p.m. at the site on FM 519 East, and the fire lit up the night sky.

Officials said the gasoline unit exploded and firefighters were letting the fuel that powers the unit -- naphtha -- to burn out.

Although Mainland Center hospital spokesman Harold Fattig said 10 people reported to the hospital complaining of exposure, there were no reports of injuries from the blasts themselves.

"The house rumbled," said Cindy Hendren, 42, whose home is about a mile north of the plant. "You could feel the rumble."

I guess it's good that the winds were from the north.