On March 23, 2005, a BP Texas City Refinery distillation tower experienced an overpressure event that caused a geyser-like release of highly flammable liquids and gases from a blowdown vent stack. Vapor clouds ignited, killing 15 workers and injuring 170 others. The accident also resulted in significant economic losses and was one of the most serious workplace disasters in the past two decades. The total cost of deaths and injuries, damage to refinery equipment and lost production was estimated to be over $2 billion.