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Multiple blasts struck refinery ASSOCIATED PRESS HOUSTON (AP) - Federal investigators said Thursday that several explosions rocked a Texas City refinery last month in an eruption that killed 15 people, injured more than 100 and filled the sky with black smoke.

Terror in Texas? Two separate Islamist groups have claimed responsibility for that explosion at a Texas chemical plant that killed 15 and injured more than 100. In an Internet statement, the Army of the Levant said it was behind the blast. But another group calling itself the al-Qaeda Organisation for Holy War in the United States of America promised to issue a video of the attack to prove it was responsible. The FBI says neither one of them was responsible, they've ruled out terrorism as the cause of the blast.

<p>HOUSTON (AP) -- A fatal accident that happened last fall at the same Texas refinery rocked by a deadly explosion this past week was caused in part by inadequate safety procedures and lack of training, according to an internal report.</p>

This week's deadly blast at an oil refinery south of Houston, the area's worst such disaster in 15 years, has put a fresh focus on questions about the age and safety of America's oil refineries. The blast at the British Petroleum refinery rocked the Texas City area Wednesday, leaving more than a dozen dead and more than 100 injured. The explosion sent plumes of black smoke high into the air and shattered windows of nearby homes and buildings. The industry seems to be holding its breath, and experts warn against premature conclusions until the cause of the blast is known....

DUBAI - A shadowy Islamist group which claimed it carried out last week’s suicide bombing in Qatar said in an internet statement it was responsible for an oil refinery explosion in Texas that left 15 people dead. “It was a new kind of operation as we promised before,” said the ”Jund al-Sham Organisation” (Organisation of Soldiers of the Levant) in the statement posted on an Islamist website and dated March 24. “Jund Al-Sham is able to attack with an iron fist all the enemies of Allah wherever they are,” added the statement, whose authenticity could not be verified. “This operation...

DUBAI, March 24 (Reuters) - Two Islamist groups have said they caused Wednesday's explosion at a Texas oil refinery which killed 15 people but the U.S. FBI said there was no evidence of "any criminal or terrorist activity". An unknown group, calling itself al Qaeda Organisation for Holy War in the United States of America, said it would issue a detailed statement and video of the attack later. The statement was posted on the Internet on Thursday. Another group, Army of the Levant, also posted an Internet statement on Thursday claiming responsibility for the blast at the BP (BP.L: Quote,...

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Thursday as a deadly explosion at a Texas refinery stemmed a selloff triggered by a firmer dollar and rising U.S. crude stocks. U.S. light crude (CLc1: Quote, Profile, Research) rose 32 cents to $54.13 a barrel, after falling more than $3.50, or 6 percent, in the previous two sessions. Brent crude oil futures (LCOc1: Quote, Profile, Research) were up 31 cents to $53.35 a barrel. Oil markets will be shut on March 25 for Good Friday. Prices rose following Wednesday's blast at a gasoline unit in BP's Texas City refinery -- the third-largest...

A large explosion occurred at the BP Refinery in Texas City. Only a few miles from Jarbo Bayou. (Kemah, Clear Lake Shores and League City). BP Refinery produces 3% of all the nations Gasoline. The price of fuel soared over night due to the blast in the plant that was in turn around mode. All 14 deaths were those contract workers from J. E. Marrett Engineering Co. of Los Angeles, CA who were working the turnaround. UTMB in Galveston is requesting blood donors. Those who are eligible to donate blood, can do so between 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday...

Today: March 23, 2005 at 18:33:36 PST 14 Feared Dead in Texas Refinery Blast By PAM EASTON ASSOCIATED PRESS TEXAS CITY, Texas (AP) - An explosion rocked a BP oil refinery Wednesday, injuring more than 100 people and sending flames and black smoke billowing into the sky in a blast so thunderous it could be felt for miles. At least 14 people were feared dead. Workers were searching through rubble for survivors or bodies Wednesday night. The cause of the blast was not immediately known.

By Pam Easton ASSOCIATED PRESS 4:00 p.m. March 23, 2005 TEXAS CITY, Texas – An explosion rocked a BP oil refinery Wednesday, killing an undetermined number of people, injuring more than 100 and sending flames and black smoke billowing into the sky, authorities said. BP spokesman Neil Chapman confirmed fatalities but did not have a total number. The fire was extinguished after a few hours, and workers were searching through rubble for survivors or bodies. The cause of the blast was not immediately known. Plant worker Charles Gregory said he and several co-workers were inside a trailer getting ready to...

A massive explosion and fire erupted at a Texas City refinery Wednesday afternoon, resulting in at least four deaths and dozens of injuries. It also destroyed buildings and vehicles, and sent a plume of thick, black smoke hundreds of feet into the air. The blast happened at 1:20 p.m. at the BP Amoco petrochemical plant, located at 2401 5th Street. It occurred in a gasoline refinery area of the plant, officials told Local 2. The explosion and fire left a lot of destruction and rubble at the plant, including a row of vehicles destroyed by flames, as well as buildings...

Blast hits BP Texas City refinery Gasoline futures jump to record high on supply fearsBy Jim Jelter, MarketWatch Last Update: 7:20 PM ET March 23, 2005 SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- A huge blast ripped through part of BP's sprawling petroleum refinery in Texas City, Texas, Wednesday, killing and injuring several workers, the company said. News of the explosion shot through the energy market, triggering a swift after-hours jump in gasoline futures to a record high $1.61 a gallon on the New York Mercantile Exchange on fears the giant refinery's gasoline production might be severely cut. See Futures Movers. The move...

Four fatalities are confirmed by BP and at least 10 injured are en route to UTMB. Shelter in place issued by Texas City Emergency Management for Texas City ISD has expired. Explosion reported at BP plant in Texas City around 1:20 p.m. http://www.khou.com/

Talking to my sister who is in Galveston, Texas today. A loud explosion -- should the houses, rattled windows, knocked a picture off the wall. Large black cloud in sky perhaps the Causeway or Texas City..... Just reporting what she's saying.....

Bush plan to follow Texan lead in ending social security splits US The island of Galveston, just off the Gulf coast of Texas, does not have a happy place in American history. In 1900 it was the site of the worst natural disaster in US history, a hurricane that killed more than 6,000 people. Half a century later two ships laden with fertiliser exploded, incinerating 600 locals and levelling much of Texas City on the other side of Galveston bay. Now Galveston is in the process of becoming famous once more. No one has been killed this time, but the...

http://news.myway.com/top/article/id/415877|top|07-19-2004::15:07|reuters.html Man Sought for Photographing Texas City Refineries Email this story Jul 19, 2:57 PM (ET) HOUSTON (Reuters) - Law enforcement officials said on Monday they are looking for a man seen taking pictures of two refineries in Texas City, Texas. Texas City, located on the Texas Gulf coast about 30 miles south of Houston, has three refineries including the largest U.S. plant operated by BP Plc., which is the third-largest U.S. refinery, processing 470,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The man, described as white with dark hair, was seen taking pictures outside the refineries, all located on the...