Alon Refinery Explosion In Texas

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Did you hear about the refinery explosion in Texas on Monday? It's one thing to hear about an explosion in another part of the country, but when it happens in the town where you live,,,,it's horrifying. My husband was in the kitchen. I was sitting up in bed having my first cup of morning coffee. The morning had started out quiet with blue skys and no wind. It was the beginning of normal mid-winter, springlike day in West Texas. Smiles and giggles suddenly turned to confusion and fear as the sound of three rapid explosions rattled the entire city. The windows in our house rattled. The dogs began barking and car alarms were set off. In the seconds to come, my mind went completely blank. I can't remember thinking anything. I was in sudden and complete shock of what I had just heard. As my husband yelled, asking, "What the hell was that", running for the front door, we ran outside to see the entire sky covered in a thick, black smoke. "Oh my God", was the only thing that could come out of our mouths. We spoke the words simultaneously. The Alon Refinery, located just over a mile from our home had just experienced an horrific series of explosions. Black smoke was rising thousands of feet into the air with flames shooting up in different locations within the confines of the refinery. The cloud formed a massive mushroom-like cloud that bellowed upward in an instant. Tears filled our eyes with thoughts of the possibility of death and injury. We then realized it was a holiday and most everyone at the refinery would be at home with their families. Still, it was a horrifying sight to behold. We stood in shock, watching the flames shoot up and the smoke rise as sirens throughout the city drew closer on their way to the tragic event. Within minutes the street that runs in front of our home was gridlocked with traffic. Citizens of our small town, on their way to work, were deverted to the events that appeared to be a devestating beginning to the day. As the morning unfolded in horror, the entire town was in shock. Other towns located 50, 60, and even 80 miles aways began to report they had felt the blasts. Lifeflight helicopters from other communities, fire departments and medical personnel rapidly descended upon our city. As everyone's adrenaline began to subside and the day continued to unfold, the fires produced from the explosions were eventually put out. Reports of injuries started to flow into the local television and radio stations. Miraculously, only five people were injured. Reports of no fatalities were astonishing. One man received non-threatening burns, three contract workers received minor injuries and one woman was injured as she drove past the refinery from flying debris. No one was killed in this horrific chain of events that could have devestated the entire town. Investigations are now being performed to determine the cause of the explosions. The refinery is shut down until clean-up is completed and investigations are final. Miracles continue to surface, along with the stories of the fantastic performance of first responders. Our appreciation goes out to everyone who prayed for our community.