Overview
- Artesia Police reported smoke drifting over the city from the refinery following the blast.
- Eddy County emergency officials closed First Street, Main Street and Highway 82 at Bolton Road to establish medevac landing zones.
- Residents were urged to avoid the refinery area and to shelter indoors with windows and doors closed.
- Emergency crews remained on scene assessing conditions and coordinating public-safety measures.
- Officials said the cause of the explosion has not yet been determined and further updates are expected.