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Texas refinery blast death toll at 15

United Press International
By United Press International
1 Min Read March 24, 2005 | 21 years Ago
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BP officials Thursday confirmed a 15th fatality in the fiery explosion that tore through the company's oil refinery at Texas City on the Gulf coast.

Families of the victims were helping medical examiners identify bodies recovered from the plant, the Houston Chronicle reported. They were all contract employees.

About 110 other people were treated at area hospitals after the Wednesday afternoon explosion and only a handful remained hospitalized Thursday, the Chronicle said.

BP spokesman Bill Stephens said most the plant's 30 units were operating Thursday. He declined to talk about production numbers or the impact on gasoline prices.

"We're not concerned about gas prices today. We're focused on these families," he said.

The 1,200-acre complex at Texas City, southeast of Houston, is one of the nation's largest oil refineries. It produces about 3 percent of the U.S. gasoline supply.

The explosion erupted in the plant's octane-enhancing unit and the cause is under investigation. BP said terrorism was not a primary focus and FBI agents have left the scene.

© Copyright 2005 by United Press International

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