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Steve Kherkher - June 23, 2026
A recent fire at Marathon Petroleum refinery in Texas City prompted local officials to issue a temporary shelter-in-place order for nearby residents. While this incident ended without reported injuries to workers, it serves as an important reminder of the risks of working in a refinery or living nearby. Refinery fires, explosions, and chemical releases develop rapidly and have the potential to cause catastrophic injuries and fatalities.
At Kherkher Garcia, we have spent decades representing workers and families affected by serious industrial accidents in Texas and nationwide. Our Houston oil and gas injury attorneys have the resources workers and families need to achieve meaningful results. Incidents like the recent Marathon refinery fire underscore why workplace safety remains so critical in refinery operations.
According to reports, a fire broke out at Marathon Petroleum’s Galveston Bay refinery in Texas City. Authorities initially issued a shelter-in-place order for portions of the city after smoke from the fire drifted across the area.
Trained response teams were able to extinguish what the company described as a small fire without incident. Shortly thereafter, city officials lifted the shelter order and stated that no injuries had been reported. Officials did indicate that air quality monitoring would continue as a precaution.
Although this Marathon refinery fire appears to have been contained quickly, these incidents should never be taken lightly. Workers, first responders, and nearby residents understand how quickly conditions can change when flammable materials and industrial processes are involved.
Oil refineries are among the most complex industrial facilities in the world. Workers in oil fields or refineries routinely operate around:
Even a relatively small fire can create dangerous conditions if it spreads to other equipment or comes in contact with flammable chemicals. Fortunately, some incidents like the Marathon refinery fire can be controlled before they escalate. Unfortunately, history has shown that refinery fires and explosions can also have devastating consequences.
While no injuries were reported in the recent Marathon refinery fire, other refinery incidents have produced tragic outcomes for workers and families.
British Petroleum, or BP, has a lengthy history of refinery safety problems and incidents. One of the deadliest refinery disasters in American history occurred in a BP refinery in 2005. An explosion at the Texas City refinery killed 15 workers and injured more than 170 others. The incident exposed serious safety concerns. It also forever changed the lives of countless workers and families.
In 2019, a massive explosion and fire at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery caused toxic gas to leak out into nearby areas and sent debris flying across the facility. Workers were injured and nearby communities were evacuated. The incident was so significant that the refinery ultimately ceased operations following the incident.
In 2024, a hydrogen sulfide release at the Pemex Deer Park refinery near Houston resulted in worker fatalities and injuries. Despite a promise of ‘no more fatalities’, the incident once again highlighted the dangers refinery employees face in regard to hazardous materials.
Each of these incidents serve as sobering reminders that refinery accidents can have life-altering consequences.
When refinery incidents cause injuries or deaths, the consequences are far more severe than just the initial incident. Victims often face weeks, months, or even years of medical care and recovery. Some of the more common injuries resulting from refinery fires and explosions include:
When a refinery worker suffers a serious injury, the impact often extends far beyond the individual victim. Families may suddenly face:
Victims and families are left grieving while simultaneously navigating financial and legal challenges they never expected to face. For many families, obtaining answers, accountability, and a sense of justice becomes an important part of the healing process.
For more than three decades, Kherkher Garcia has represented workers and families affected by some of the most serious industrial accidents in Texas and across the Gulf Coast region. Our attorneys have experience handling cases involving:
We understand that refinery injury cases often involve complex issues, multiple parties, and frustrating insurance companies. Facility operators, contractors, maintenance providers, manufacturers, and other entities may all play a role in causing incidents.
Our team works with engineers, industrial specialists, and safety and medical professionals to understand the circumstances surrounding catastrophic incidents. Our thorough investigations help us advocate for workers and families.
Most importantly, we recognize that behind every case is a person whose life has been altered by a serious workplace event.
Kherkher Garcia has built a nationwide reputation for fighting for victims of catastrophic industrial accidents. We believe workers deserve safe working environments and that families deserve answers when preventable incidents cause injuries or deaths.
While no injuries were reported in the recent Marathon refinery fire, incidents like this serve as reminders of why safety programs, effective training, adequate maintenance, and emergency preparedness are so important throughout the oil and gas industry.
Immediately following an injury, seek medical attention. Report the incident to your supervisor and preserve any available evidence. If your injuries are significant, consider speaking with an attorney sooner rather than later.
In some situations, injured contractors may be able to pursue legal claims. Options for recovery will depend on the facts of the incident.
Depending on the circumstances, injured workers may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, future care, disability, pain and suffering, and more.
Surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim after a fatal workplace incident.
Deadlines vary depending on the circumstances and applicable law. In most states, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury.
The recent Marathon refinery fire ended without reported injuries, but it serves as a reminder that refinery workers face incredible hazards every day.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a refinery fire, explosion, or other industrial accident, Kherkher Garcia is here to help. Our team of attorneys has extensive experience representing workers and families in complex injury and wrongful death cases.
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation and learn how we can help you pursue answers, accountability, and the compensation you may deserve. Start now by calling 713-333-1030. You can also request more information and a consultation by submitting our online contact form.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorneys Steve Kherkher and Jesus Garcia Jr., who have more than 50 years of combined legal experience championing the rights of those who have experienced catastrophic injury due to negligence.
Connect with a Kherkher Garcia trial lawyer today to pursue maximum compensation for your injury.
