Report on BP refinery blast cites safety failures

Panel says lapses lead to Texas City explosion that killed 15 workers

HOUSTON – British oil company BP failed to emphasize safety at its U.S. refineries before the 2005 Texas City explosion that killed 15, according to a report released Tuesday by an independent panel led by former U.S. Secretary of State James A. Baker III.

The panel, in a statement summarizing its 300-plus page report on BP PLC