Wednesday morning, a couple of hours after the Redstone Arsenal in Alabama exploded, a San Antonio refinery fire sent a huge plume of black smoke into the air. While it was being loaded with fuel, an 18 wheeler truck exploded which began the San Antonio refinery fire. The first explosion from the truck within the San Antonio refinery started a chain of explosions that lasted at least 45 minutes.

The San Antonio refinery is still burning

More than 100 firefighters and emergency responders were at the scene of the San Antonio refinery fire today. Any person who lives within a half mile of the explosion was evacuated. The private cash lenders and other financiers of AGE Refining, Inc., are set to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars. The plume of smoke from the fire could possibly be seen from as far as 40 miles away. The fire will probably burn hot and for a long time considering the San Antonio refinery fire is fuel based.

18 wheeler starts San Antonio refinery explosion

An 18 wheeler truck was what began the San Antonio refinery explosion. The truck was being pumped with fuel on a loading dock when it exploded. The fire is expected to burn for many days as this explosion was the first of many within the refinery. Hazmat crews and firefighters were working to shut off the valves which were still pumping fuel following the fire started.

OSHA violations before the San Antonio refinery explosion

Before the San Antonio refinery fire this morning, AGE Refining, Inc., had been cited several times for safety violations. In 2007, the San Antonio refinery was fined for 13 "serious violations". Apparently the violations are nevertheless "current" says the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. The only refinery in San Antonio, AGE Refining provides jet fuel and diesel to the U.S. Air Force and other customers.

Watch many reports on the San Antonio refinery fire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm3-rA9Hl9k&feature=player_embedded

Sources for the article

NPR News

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/05/texas_refinery_catches_fire_...

My San Antonio

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/Fire_burning_on_South_Side.html?showFul...

Kens5.com

http://www.kens5.com/news/local/Reports-of-92876584.html

The Associated Press

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jYkAyfTB-gAvN27Vp6Uy-9...