The Port Arthur News
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TOTAL Petrochemicals Refinery and Marketing workers quickly returned to work after an early Wednesday evacuation for authorities to investigate a bomb threat. Sheriff’s department deputies from the joint terrorism task force were dispatched the Total Petrochemicals Refinery in Port Arthur at about 6 a.m. Wednesday in response to the threat. Brent Weaver, Sheriff’s Department spokesman, said the deputies worked with refinery personnel to conduct a search of the facility. “They have found nothing in their search,” Weaver said at about 8:30 a.m. Pat Avery, refinery spokesperson, confirmed at about 8:50 a.m. that the evacuation had been called off and workers were returning to the plant. A TOTAL statement released by Jennifer Walsh, senior communications specialist, reads: “The Port Arthur Police Department advised us at approximately 6 a.m. of a bomb threat regarding the Total Port Arthur Refinery. As a precaution, we followed our procedures that activate on-site response and limited access to the refinery. Law enforcement officials are investigating and we are cooperating fully. There is no evidence of any findings and we have therefore restored normal security procedures.”