国际英语新闻:Compressor problem blamed for refinery explosion in U.S. state of Texas

HOUSTON, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Compressor problem was blamed for causing a blast early Saturday at a refinery at Pasadena, Texas, which injured one person, according to the plant.

The accident occurred at around 10 am local time in the Pasadena Refining System, Inc. plant in the southeastern Texas. One person was injured, suffering burns in hands.

The refinery is said to store the chemicals such as ammonia, benzene, ethylene, propylene and sulfuric acid, according to local TV station ABC 13.

A spokesperson for the plant said that it all started with an issue involving a compressor. A blaze quickly broke out with burning diesel fuel sending huge plumes of black smoke into the air.

A nearby tunnel has been closed for safety after the explosion, and the plant's own fire fighters have been fighting the blaze, which has been brought under control.

Local residents said they could felt the explosion and a lot of black smoke could be seen for kilometers from the site of the blast, but the plant said that they were working to see if there was an explosion.

The refinery reportedly has a history of serious violations of the U.S. Clean Air Act, and was assessed more than 1 million U.S. dollars in fines because of the violations.