Blast rocks Texas City refinery, several dead

A plume of smoke rises over the shattered plant. A massive explosion tore through a BP Amoco refinery in Texas City this afternoon, killing several people:

The blast happened shortly before 1:30 p.m. at the BP Amoco petrochemical plant, located at 2401 5th St. It occurred in a gasoline refinery area of the plant, officials told Local 2. There's no word yet on what chemicals were involved. The explosion and fire left a lot of destruction and rubble at the plant, including a row of vehicles destroyed by flames, as well as buildings blown apart and leveled.

Reuters reports four deaths and 10 serious injuries at the refinery, which is the nation's third largest.