SAN ANTONIO – NuStar Energy's South side plant remains closed in the wake of a fire that erupted Wednesday afternoon.
A company spokesman reiterated Thursday morning the information released in an earlier written statement, saying the investigation into the incident is continuing.
The statement said the fire ignited after a contractor installing drain tubing accidentally dislodged a valve in a crude unit. It said that allowed a small amount of kerosene to spray, and that vaporized and ignited.
The company maintains there was no explosion related to this incident.
However, in May 2010, there was. A tanker truck exploded at the plant, which was owned by AGE Refining at the time, injuring the driver and forcing nearby residents to evacuate.
Marie Wright, who lives across the street from the refinery, said her home still bears the scars.
"There was a little damage in my house but I never claimed it," Wright said. "So I have to have that repaired myself. "
What concerns her more, though, is the type of damage she might not be able to fix. Wright said she's worried she might be injured or even killed because she lives in a danger zone.
"I'm 85 years old and I live by myself," said Wright, who also uses a walker to get around. "(The refinery) is too close. I don't like it."
Wright said she wishes the temporary shut down of the plant would become permanent.
In a written statement, a NuStar spokesman said it expected to have a timeline for reopening sometime Thursday. As of noon, that had not been determined yet.