Texas Refinery Explosion Injured 5, Shook Houses, Sent Fuel Prices Higher

A thunderous explosion at west Texas oil refinery injured five people and shook buildings miles away.

One employee was hospitalized for burns, while three contractors were treated and released, said Blake Lewis, a spokesman for refinery owner Alon USA.

Fires that lingered after the blast were extinguished late Monday afternoon, Lewis said. The next step will entail getting into the site to determine what happened and how to make repairs.

Lewis said all workers were accounted for about an hour after the explosion.