CARLSBAD — An explosion at the oil refinery in Artesia in October led to a state inquiry into the cause of the incident and its possible lingering health impacts on the community.

Artesia police reported the explosion at about 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at HF Sinclair Refinery located at 501 E. Main St., also known as U.S. Highway 62/180, in Artesia.

The refinery processes crude oil extracted from the surrounding Permian Basin in southeast New Mexico and West Texas, with a capacity of about 100,000 barrels of oil per day of processed crude.

It’s a major employer for Artesia and the surrounding area with about 800 workers, mostly from within the local community.

The explosion led to the temporary closure of roads connecting to the refinery via Main Street, and at least three people were i

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