Lockdown lifted at ExxonMobil refinery in Baytown
BAYTOWN, TX (KTRK) -- The ExxonMobil refinery in Baytown spent most of Saturday on lockdown after a reported security breach. Just after 3pm, the lockdown was lifted.
"We appreciate the assistance from the Baytown Police Department and Harris County Sheriff for their quick and thorough response. We take security matters seriously and work continuously to ensure the safety of our workers, our equipment and our community," company officials said. "All personnel have resumed normal work activities."
The Harris County Sheriff's Office tell Eyewitness News that K-9s were deployed throughout the search but no suspect was found.
Company officials say around 7:30am, a person went inside the plant without permission.
"We take matters of this nature very seriously and are working closely with Baytown Police Department," says Todd Spitler, spokesman for Exxon Mobil.
On Thursday, a large fire burned at the Baytown ExxonMobil refinery
An abc13 news crew saw Baytown Police at the scene, but the officers have since left.
Eyewitnesses inside the refinery tell abc13 they were evacuated and are being kept inside a lunch tent.
The company says it began its active security measures in response to this incident, prompting the lockdown at the plant.
This is the same refinery where a major fire broke out on Thursday, sending a massive plume of smoke into the air.
At this point, it's still not clear what started the fire.
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