Fire at Valero refinery in Meraux extinguished

Authorities say a three-alarm fire that broke out early Sunday morning at the Valero refinery here did not cause any injuries or force any evacuations.

The Times-Picayune reports that the fire broke out in a crude unit of the former Murphy Oil refinery at about 1:45 a.m. and was extinguished by 7 a.m.

Valero spokesman Bill Day says there were no injuries and that the fire did not cause any environmental concerns. Nearby roads were closed briefly.

Day says a damage assessment was being done and that the cause of the fire is under investigation.