Four people were reported injured as the result of an explosion and fire about 8:20 a.m. today at the Big Spring Alon Refinery. Emergency personnel closed Interstate 20 and evacuated those in the immediate vicinity of the refinery. By STEVE REAGAN Staff Writer
A massive explosion rocked the Big Spring Alon Refinery this morning, injuring at least four people and causing extensive damage to the facility.
Courtesy photos/Claudine Cooper/Images taken from South Mountain  The morning calm of Big Spring was abruptly shattered at about 8:20 a.m. today when an explosion occurred in the light gas unit of the refinery, officials confirmed.
Unofficial reports state that a propylene leak in the unit sparked the explosion, which was heard as far as 50 miles away and shattered windows miles from the refinery. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a knee-high gas cloud from the leak, which resulted in an emergency evacuation order just minutes before the blast. “I heard it like just about everyone else,” Howard County Judge Mark Barr said. “It sounded like a bus hit the outside of my house. I ran outside and saw what was happening and immediately called the county emergency coordinator, but he was already quite busy at the time.”
“It was extremely scary. You shook you were so scared,” said Laura McEwen, the wife of Big Spring Mayor Russ McEwen who lives about two miles from the refinery. “Our walls shook. It jolted your bed. It was like an earthquake.”
Within minutes, fire erupted in several sections of the refinery, sending an enormous column of black smoke miles into the sky.
Miraculously, no life-threatening injuries were reported as of 11 a.m. One refinery worker was airlifted to a Lubbock hospital with undisclosed injuries because of burns, while three others were transported to Scenic Mountain Medical.
One of the injured was a motorist whose vehicle was hit by debris while traveling next to the refinery on Interstate 20.
All other refinery employees and contractors were accounted for, officials said.
Emergency units from across Howard County and the Permian Basin responded to the scene. Firefighters from Big Spring, Howard County Volunteers and other communities were assisting Alon’s firefighters battle the blaze, which was still raging at noon today.
Smoke from the fire appeared to be dissipating around noon and officials were quick to reassure jittery residents.
“I want to assure the public that they are in no eminent danger,” Mayor McEwen said. “Judge Barr and I are asking people to just stay home and let the emergency personnel handle the situation.”
“What you can see from your home is what you can see at the refinery — a lot of black smoke,” Barr added.
Big Spring Police and Howard County Sheriff’s Office personnel, Along with auxiliary volunteers, had cordoned off roads leading into and from the refinery. Officials said Interstate 20 traffic had been rerouted from Highway 350 to Salem Road.
“All emergency response plans are in effect now,” McEwen said. “We are working with a team from Alon by the minute, literally.”
McEwen said personnel appeared to be getting a handle on the emergency.
“Alon officials are very confident they are getting things under control,” he said. “As good as you can feel about something like this, they feel good about things.”
Fearing for the safety of students, Big Spring Independent School District officials ordered dismissal of classes from Washington and Moss elementaries, the two campuses closest to the refinery, at about 8:50 a.m. Soon after, they dismissed classes at all other campuses, Assistant Superintendent Carie Dunnam said.
Several sporting events scheduled for today involving BSISD teams have been postponed, Dunnam added.
Citing safety concerns, Howard College officials also decided to suspend classes this morning.
After consultations, Coahoma ISD officials decided to continue classes today, Administration Secretary Judy Dobbs said.
Several traffic accidents blamed on “rubber-necking” motorists also were reported this morning, although no major injuries were reported.
U.S. Congressman Randy Neugebauer and State Rep. Joe Heflin arrived in Big Spring this morning to assess the situation, officials said.
Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331, ext. 234 or by e-mail at
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