Valero contract worker dies after flash fire at Memphis refinery

(hydrocarbonprocessing) -- Nicolas Cuevas, one of three contract workers injured in a flash fire last week at Valero Energy Corp.'s oil refinery in Memphis, Tenn., died Saturday afternoon, a Valero spokesman said. The men were working at the flare platform as part of the crude unit turnaround that got under way March 2.

Nicolas Cuevas, one of three contract workers injured in a flash fire last week at Valero Energy Corp.'s oil refinery in Memphis, Tenn., died Saturday afternoon, Valero spokesman Bill Day said.

The March 6 fire at a flare platform also injured Cuevas' brother, Daniel, and a third contractor working for JVIC. All three were transported to the Regional Medical Center.

The men were working at the flare platform as part of the crude unit turnaround that got under way March 2. That work is expected to conclude on or about April 6.

"We have learned that Mr. Nicholas Cuevas passed away today (Saturday) at the Regional Medical Center. Valero extends its thoughts and prayers to the Cuevas family and the JVIC organization. We continue to pray for the full recovery of the other injured contractors," Day said.

Valero and JVIC, in full cooperation with governmental authorities, are investigating the cause of the incident.

The Memphis refinery is able to process up to 195,000 bpd of crude oil.