Three injured in fire at oil refinery in Artesia

Three people have been taken to a hospital after a fire broke out at an Artesia oil refinery Friday morning, according to a company that oversees the plant.

Corinn Smith, a spokesperson for petroleum company HF Sinclair, said “three individuals have been taken off site for medical attention” after a fire at the HF Sinclair Navajo Refinery.

Smith did not say how badly injured the people were, if they worked at the plant or what led to the fire.

At approximately 11:10 a.m., HF Sinclair responded to a fire at the facility, Smith said.

“We immediately initiated our emergency response plan, and the fire has been extinguished. We are currently conducting air monitoring,” Smith said.

Smith said in the statement that “all personnel are accounted for.”

“The health and safety of our employees, contractors and communities continue to be our priority,” Smith said.

The Artesia Police Department initially reported an explosion had occurred at the refinery. Soon after, the Eddy County Office of Emergency Management posted on Facebook that a medevac helicopter was “preparing to land” near the refinery.

Artesia police posted an update Friday afternoon that first responders had cleared the area and the fire had been extinguished.

“Thick smoke is emitting from the plant and drifting over parts of the city,” the department said over Facebook. “... Air quality and safety conditions are being monitored by HF Sinclair Navajo Refinery.”

The New Mexico Environmental Department said in a release that they were monitoring the air quality around Artesia.

“We’re working closely with local and state partners to see how this fire might affect air quality,” said Cindy Hollenberg, chief of the NMED Air Quality Bureau. “State teams are on the way to Artesia to take a closer look and help support the response. Keeping the community safe and informed is our top priority.”

Artesia police urged citizens to stay indoors with doors and windows closed and to avoid the area near the refinery and any locations affected by smoke.