1 Killed in Mississippi Refinery Explosion, Fire

PASCAGOULA, Miss. (AP) — Authorities are investigating the cause of an explosion and fire at a southern Mississippi refinery that killed one worker.

Jackson County emergency officials say it happened around 2 a.m. Friday at the Chevron Pascagoula Refinery.

Chevron said in a statement that the explosion occurred in one of its processing units.

Jackson County Emergency Services Director Earl Etheridge says fire units from Pascagoula, Jackson County and the Forts Lake Volunteer Fire Department responded to offer backup support to Chevron's fire crews.

Etheridge described the incident as an explosion followed by several smaller fires, all of which have been extinguished.

The company says there's no danger to the community.

Chevron says more information on accident will be released Friday.