Multiple Tanks Burned at East Harris County Industrial Plant, No Injuries

Multiple tanks at Petromax Refining Company on the 1500 block of Sheldon Road in east Harris County were reported burning around 8 p.m. on March 5, the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office said. Officials later updated that the fire had been extinguished and that all personnel at the facility were accounted for; no injuries were reported.

Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office investigators said crews were dispatched after multiple reports of tanks burning at the refinery facility. Channelview Fire Department personnel were already working alongside the facility’s own fire brigade when additional firefighters arrived, and hazardous materials crews were called to the scene as a precaution, the marshal’s office said.

Firefighters used water as part of cooling operations around the tanks while the facility’s internal emergency team assisted, the marshal’s office reported. Responders noted a strong chemical odor in the surrounding area during the response, and officials said there were no visible flames when crews arrived, though the scene remained active for additional safety measures after the blaze was brought under control.

The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office said crews continued assessing the site after extinguishing the fire and that investigators are working to determine what materials were burning inside the tanks. The marshal’s office confirmed the cause of the incident remains under investigation and said additional updates will be released as more information becomes available.

Public-facing reports identify the site as Petromax Refining Company on the 1500 block of Sheldon Road; one version of the company name appeared with a different spelling in some copies. Nearby location references include Sheldon Road near Wood Drive and the area northeast of the East Beltway and East Freeway, with some reports adding Jacintoport Boulevard as a nearby cross street.

Officials have not reported any evacuations, road closures, or air-monitoring results in initial updates. HazMat crews were on scene as a precaution while on-site teams completed safety checks, and authorities said they will provide further information about materials involved and any environmental monitoring once that work is completed.