Fire at ExxonMobil refinery injures 12 contract workers

BEAUMONT, Texas (AP) — A fire department spokesman says 12 contract workers have been taken to hospitals after being hurt in a fire at an ExxonMobil refinery in Southeast Texas.

Beaumont Fire Department spokesman Brad Penisson says three of those injured Wednesday were critically burned. Other workers suffered burns and broken bones.

ExxonMobil spokeswoman Rachael L. Moore initially reported only six workers had been taken to hospitals. But she later updated her statement to say all 12 had been transported.

Mary Poole, with Baptist Hospital, says her facility received seven of the workers — with five in stable condition and two later transferred to a hospital in Galveston.

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The fire happened around 10:30 a.m. in a process unit that was down for maintenance. Such units are involved in processing crude oil into refined products.