Large fire erupts at Philadelphia oil refinery, closes roads

Flames and smoke billow from the Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refining Complex early Friday.

Credit: Matt Rourke/AP

Credit: Matt Rourke/AP

Flames and smoke billow from the Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refining Complex early Friday.

A Sunoco oil refinery caught fire in southwest Philadelphia early Friday, and explosions have been reported because of it.

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According to WCAU-TV, in Philadelphia, Interstate 76 is closed because of the massive fire at Philadelphia Energy Solutions which broke out around 4 a.m.

Homes as far away as southern New Jersey felt the explosions. Residents in Philadelphia told WCAU that art was knocked off their walls and that debris fell on their homes.

A plume of smoke is also blanketing some of the city.

Fire officials said the blaze is confined to the property of the refinery, according to WCAU.

Philadelphia Energy Solutions is the largest refinery on the East Coast and employs about 1,000 people.

Authorities have not said if any workers were injured, the television station reported.

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