Fatal Fire at Valero Refinery in Ardmore, Oklahoma
Facility Overview The incident occurred at the Valero refinery located in Ardmore, Carter County, Oklahoma. This facility is a petroleum refinery that processes between 86,000 and 90,000 barrels of crude oil per day, converting it into gasoline and diesel products. The site employs approximately 270 workers.
Incident Summary On the late afternoon of Monday, February 9, 2026, a fire ignited at the Valero Ardmore refinery. The fire generated heavy black smoke visible from outside the facility parameters. Emergency response crews extinguished the blaze that same evening. All personnel were accounted for; however, five workers were transported to regional hospitals for treatment of burn injuries. One of the workers, who sustained burns over a reported 90% of his body, subsequently died from his injuries.
Top Three Sources of Information
East Texas Banner
12NewsNow (KTEN reporting)
Zehl & Associates (Law Firm Incident Report)