El Pasoons was left with little or no answers, as huge black flows smoke outpaced the city and the flames burst through smoked in the marathon refinery in southern central.
“We deserve to know what is happening in the refinery,” said Matthew Moriel, who lives in the Corbin-Sabbrano neighborhood on several blocks of the refinery. “We need to know if we should be indoors and whether we should exclude our coolers for the swamp in order not to enter into the pollution of air. It is unacceptable for refinery in the middle of the city to be unattainable by those who live at the time until its pollution.”
View of black clouds for pollution in the eastern part of the city caused by the marathon refinery in El Paso, Texas, on July 8, 2025.
Large plum of black smoke and flames began to come out of a marathon refinery, located on 212 North Clark Drive near Avenue Alameda, around 5:30 pm Tuesday, July 8th.
Moriel and other neighbors began calling the refinery about information about what was happening at the plant, but they only heard from a security guard. Neighbors have never heard from the refinery operators.
In an unnamed statement by email, spokesman for Marathon Petroleum Corp. He told EL Paso that the incident was caused by a power outage.
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“Due to the interruption of power supplier by a third -country supplier on July 8, Marathon’s EL PASO operating conditions made the necessary voyage,” the statement said. “Flies are safety devices that allow the safe combustion of excess gases during certain operating conditions.”
The company has announced that there are no injuries during the incident or the harmful effects on the environment on the area.
“Air monitoring is unfolded as a precautionary measure and no effects outside the site have been found,” the statement said.
The community that wants transparency, better communication
Houston in the Coalition of the Symbrando Esperanza in Houston, a group led by residents of 11 of the most historical, durable, contaminated and the hottest neighborhoods of the working class in El Paso County, wants more transparency and communication from marathon leaders of the refinery, the coalition reports.
“Even if the incident (July 8) does not lead to a violation of the state or federal rules, it does not mean that fumes were not toxic and dangerous to our health, the environment and pets,” said the climate justice of the Coalition of Sambrando Esperans and the Organizer of Civil Rights, Veronica Karbajal. “Moreover, we will not know what is in the vapor or how our air quality has been affected until the monitoring data is released. In the meantime, residents are near to know what precautions to take and who to call in such emergencies.”
View of black clouds for pollution in the eastern part of the city caused by the marathon refinery in El Paso, Texas, on July 8, 2025.
The group wants a marathon refinery to:
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Host a meeting for neighbors to attend and discuss their concerns
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Create a warning system for neighbors close to refinery
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Provide neighbors a number they can call 24/7 and talk to a human being every time neighbors see, hear or smell something unusual
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Regular Monitoring Data Reports
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Air quality monitors to be placed in the neighborhood, including those who read the carcinogens released from the refinery
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Marathonian refinery officials said they already had policies to warn residents of any danger.
“The safety of workers, our neighbors and the environment is our top priority,” the marathon refinery statement said. “If the situation potentially requires the actions of community members, we advise the designated local authorities, following pre -established frameworks and then work with these authorities, the media and others to convey community information as needed.”
What is flaming?
The EL PASO refinery “processes sweet and acidic raw oils in gasoline, distillates, heavy fuel oil, propane, asphalt and ngl (natural gas liquids) and petrochemicals,” according to an annual report from the company.
Placing is the process of burning excess or waste gases that cannot be treated or reused, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Knowing safely releases excess pressure from refinery equipment, especially during emergencies or maintenance.
View of black clouds for pollution in the eastern part of the city caused by the marathon refinery in El Paso, Texas, on July 8, 2025.
Burning can release harmful pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, a study published in The Science Research Journal. Pollutants released from burning can lead to health problems such as asthma, heart attacks and premature deaths, especially in communities near refinery, the study said.
Data on the species and quantities of pollutants released during the burning of the El Paso Marathon refinery have not been released.
Aaron Martinez covers the Criminal Justice system for El Paso Times. It can be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or X/Twitter @amartinezept.
This article originally appeared at El Paso Times: El Paso residents are looking for answers after a marathon refinery