The TPC plant exploded around 1 a.m. off Highway 366 in Port Neches, about 95 miles east of Houston.
As an evacuation order was underway, nearby residents and drivers captured horrifying images of the explosion and damage it left behind.
Reports suggest windows were blown out in homes up to 10 miles away from the plant, and smoke could be seen as far away as the Louisiana state line.
Watch: Video shows damage inside homes from plant explosion
Refinery explosion shakes homes in Port Neches
"The shockwave felt like my house got hit by a wrecking ball," @InventTrey posted on Twitter.
In one video taken by a nearby driver, the explosion looks like a pulsating mass of light before flames can be seen spewing from the plant.
Others captured frightening images of damage.
"TPC 1, my house 0," @MikeTobiasPhoto posted to Twitter with pictures of a collapsed ceiling.