3 burned by steam in Louisiana refinery accident

Louisiana authorities say three people are being treated for burns after a steam accident at a ConocoPhillips Co. refinery.

Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's Office Major John Marie says one was in critical condition and airlifted Thursday to a Baton Rouge hospital. The others are being treated for lesser injuries at a local hospital.

A refinery spokesman says operations weren't affected the facility in Jesuit Bend, about 25 miles south of New Orleans.

ConocoPhillips spokesman Bill Tanner in Houston says the three employees of a contractor were conducting routine maintenance on a steam line. Tanner said the cause of the accident would be investigated. The employees names weren't immediately released.

The refinery processes about 247,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

Terra/AP