HOUSTON, - Valero Energy Corp said a small fire was quickly extinguished on Monday morning at its 100,000 barrel per day (bpd) Three Rivers, Texas, refinery, which is currently shut for a planned overhaul.

The fire was apparently ignited by welding on the shut alkylation unit at the refinery, which is located 74 miles (119 kilometers) south of San Antonio, said Valero spokesman Bill Day.

The fire was put out with a fire extinguisher, Day said.

The refinery was briefly evacuated due to the fire, he said. The fire did not damage the alkylation unit. The fire is also not expected to delay the refinery-wide overhaul, which is scheduled to last 24 days. (Reporting by Erwin Seba; Editing by David Gregorio)

Valero Energy Corporation