UPDATE 12/15 (9:25 PM):
A Houston-based law firm has filed suit on behalf of two contractors injured in this month's tank fire at the Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P. facility in Corpus Christi.
The firm, Kherkher Garcia, LLP, announced the lawsuit on it's website.
“This kind of catastrophe is never supposed to happen when large pipeline companies do what they’re supposed to do,” said founding partner Steve Kherkher. “We aim to hold the defendant accountable, seek maximum justice for our clients, and help prevent a tragedy like this from happening again.”
UPDATE 12/6 (4:30 PM): The seven employees injured in the Saturday morning tank fire at Magellan were employees of Shelton Services Inc. In a release, representatives said "five of our colleagues are currently at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where they are in stable condition. The other two were released from a Corpus Christi hospital on Saturday."
Shelton Services said they do not currently know the cause of the incident, but that they are working with Magellan and regulatory officials as the investigation continues.
UPDATE ( 4:20 PM): Magellan Midstream Partners released the following statement regarding the tank fire.
"Earlier today, seven contract workers were injured at Magellan’s Corpus Christi petroleum facility. They were cleaning an above ground storage tank in preparation for inspection when a fire developed. We are praying for those that were injured and their families.
Emergency responders promptly arrived at the site and transported the injured workers to local hospitals for treatment. We do not know the cause of the incident at this time and we are working with regulatory officials as the investigation continues.
The fire has been extinguished. Air quality readings at the facility and surrounding area remain safe. There are no road closures or evacuations related to this incident."
Statement from Magellan’s Chief Executive Officer Mike Mears:
“All of us at Magellan hold Safety as our highest standard and we are saddened by the incident that occurred this morning. The seven contractors who were injured and their families are in our thoughts and prayers, and we are committed to determining the root cause of the incident. Magellan will ensure continued collaboration with all stakeholders.”
UPDATE 12/5 (1:08 PM): Local officials reported that seven people were injured in the Magellan tank fire incident.
Local officials and representatives speak on the tank fire at the Magellan petroleum storage facility on Saturday morning. Watch below.
UPDATE 12/5 (12:29 PM): Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a statement on the oil storage tank fire in Corpus Christi, Saturday.
"The State of Texas is working closely with Magellan and Corpus Christi officials to aid in the emergency response efforts and to provide immediate help to those injured in the explosion. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is monitoring air quality in the area, and the Texas Division Of Emergency Management is on the ground to provide support. The Texas Department of Public Safety is also working to provide assistance to first responders on the ground. The state is ready to deploy additional resources to respond to this event and keep the community safe. Cecilia and I ask all Texans join us in prayer for those injured in this explosion, for our first responders, and for the safety of those in the area."
UPDATE 12/5(11:54 AM): At least six patients taken to Spohn Shoreline are no longer at the facility. One person had minor injuries and is being discharged. Four people are in critical condition and being flown to the San Antonio Medical Center. One person is in stable condition and is also being taken to the San Antonio Medical center but that person is being driven. All had burn injuries.
ORIGINAL STORY 12/5: A tank fire at a petroleum storage facility has sent at least six people to the hospital.
About 10 a.m. the fire occurred in the facility owned by Magellan Corpus Christi, according to a spokesperson for the company.
At least six people who were injured in the fire are being treated at Christus Spohn Hospital - Shoreline. There is no word on the extent of their injuries, a spokesperson for the hospital said.
The tank was being cleaned by contractors at the time of the incident, a Magellan spokesperson said.
The spokesperson also said that the fire has been extinguished at this time.
A reverse alert sent out at 10:56 a.m. warned residents that there had been a possible explosion.
The Corpus Christi Police Department sent out a tweet around 10:40 a.m. asking anyone in the area to shelter in place until further notice. That shelter in place has since been lifted.
Refinery Terminal Fire Company is working a fire in the area of 1800 block of Poth. Officials are asking if you are in the immediate area, please shelter in place until further notice. pic.twitter.com/U5mzsUMavj
— Corpus Christi PD (@CorpusChristiPD) December 5, 2020
Representatives for Citgo Corpus Christi Refinery and Valero's Corpus Christi Refinery's told KRIS 6 News that the fire was not located at its refineries.
In addition to the Refinery Terminal Fire Company, the Corpus Christi Fire Department and Corpus Christi Police Department were assisting in the scene.
This is a developing story. KRIS 6 News is en route and will provide more information as it becomes available.
