4 hurt, 3 missing in blast, fire at US refinery

Officials say four workers are injured and three are missing in an explosion and fire at a refinery in Washington state today.

Officials say four workers are injured and three are missing in an explosion and fire at a refinery in Washington state on Friday.

HT Image

The Skagit County and Anacortes fire departments sent crews to battle the fire that erupted at 12:40 am on Friday, while Airlift Northwest told King-TV that three helicopters were dispatched.

Tesoro Refinery human resources manager John McDarment says the blaze started in a naptha unit of the complex early Friday, and it was put out by the refinery's emergency crews.

He told The Associated Press that he doesn't yet know how it started.

McDarment confirmed the number of missing and injured but didn't have any details on their conditions.