Major Fire Engulfs Oil Refinery in Houston, 37 Injured - Reports (Video)

A Wednesday fire at an ExxonMobil plant in Houston, Texas, has resulted in a large plume of smoke coming from the oil refinery. ExxonMobil urged local residents to shelter in place as a precaution, ABC News reported.

According to the KHOU 11 News broadcaster, at least 37 people were injured, including with burns.

In a statement cited by ABC News, Texas-based ExxonMobil said the fire occurred at its Olefins plant, which produces ethylene, a chemical used to make plastic and industrial products. Ethylene is highly flammable.

Watch now: Firefighters continue their fire fighting in #ExxonMobil facility in Baytown (6 injured ) #Texas #EEUU pic.twitter.com/xwUMhVY9Jn

— Tulio (@Tulio98817827) 31 July 2019

ExxonMobil call Tower Force, we can fix it! pic.twitter.com/aERdZzNJkN

— TF@TowerForce (@TowerForce) 31 July 2019

According to US-based media reports, ExxonMobil said it was conducting air quality monitoring at the site on Wednesday and was cooperating with regulatory agencies.

According to ABC News, the Olefins plant is part of the company's 3,400-acre refinery complex in Baytown. Wednesday's fire is reportedly only the latest to have taken place at the Houston-area petrochemical facilities this year, including another at the ExxonMobil Baytown complex.