Had we known then what we know now, Cliff Heise said, we wouldve run, not walked home.. Authorities said the incident happened around 6 a.m. and 36 firefighters responded to the refinery. The incident was reported around 1:15 p.m. on the 23500 block of Anza Avenue, just north of the Pacific Coast Highway, Assistant Torrance Fire Chief Robert Millea said.
Blast Blamed on Gas Buildup - Los Angeles Times The refinery, where about 155,000 barrels of crude oil are processed each day, has been part of the South Bay landscape since the 1920s. Para obtener ms informacin sobre cmo utilizamos tus datos personales, consulta nuestra Poltica de privacidad y Poltica de cookies.
Local battle over toxic chemical at Torrance, Wilmington refineries But in the years since the 2015 explosion, residents have continued decrying MHF. No injuries were reported, and the fire did not impact anything offsite. TORRANCE (CBSLA) Firefighters say four people have been injured in a reported explosion at an apartment complex in Torrance. It appeared it was a gas explosion, but a hazardous materials team was on scene Sunday afternoon working to determine exactly what occurred. The Heises, for their part, are still working to educate residents in Torrance and Wilmington about their MHF concerns and are grateful the issue is still being monitored. The explosion sent ash raining down on vehicles parked near the sprawling 750-acre site and caused what one worker described as intense shaking. The Torrance Refinery Action Alliance plans on Tuesday to deliver a letter from its science advisory panel to Newsoms office urging him to request that Atty. More Stories Drone helps. The state could potentially lose thousands of jobs, and it could result in higher gasoline prices at the pump for California residents, businesses, and government, Californians for a Sustainable Economy an association representing hundreds of local businesses wrote in opposition to the ban. North Torrance resident Daphne Wong, her husband, Eng, and their three children, ages 5 to 9, all walked to the refinery together despite the rain. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Watch: Explosion reported at ExxonMobil refinery in California - CBS News State of the Union CBS News App Ukraine Crisis COVID Pandemic CBS News Live Managing Your Money Essentials Shopping. TORRANCE, Calif. -- An explosion rocked an Exxon Mobil refinery on Wednesday morning, triggering a huge smokestack flare, raining down ash and leaving four with minor injuries, company and. Organizers estimated the crowd size at more than 400.
Activists marking Torrance refinery explosion anniversary call for Ryan Zehl is the lawyer responsible for this website. 1750 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 910 | Washington, DC 20006. As a result, when the valve was needed during an emergency, it did not work as intended, and hydrocarbons were able to reach an ignition source. Three dozen firefighters knocked down the blaze within a half-hour. The refinery previously said that the citys Fire Department has the sole responsibility to decide what tools to use, when to use them, and what area within the community to notify. At the bottom of a public notice explaining the Torrance Community Warning System, however, ExxonMobil has the ability to initiate the use of the Community Alert Sirens and Crenshaw Street Barriers if an incident at the refinery warrants immediate community notification., The Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee and the Environmental Quality Committee has planned a joint hearing to address the emergency response in the Torrance refinery explosion. The explosion was so severe that it caused residents in the area to experience a shock similar to the effects of a 1.7 magnitude earthquake. The modified HF catalyst reduces acid vapor pressure sufficiently to suppress the usual flash atomization process of hydrofluoric acid, that environmental impact report said, causing most of the acid to fall to the ground as an easily controlled liquid and reduces the potential for off-site consequences of an accidental HF release.. Investigators are trying to determine what caused the explosion at a Torrance oil refinery that sent four workers to the hospital. More information will be added as soon as it becomes available. "Emergency procedures have been activated to address the incident, and employees are working with the appropriate agencies," a statement by the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery said. The LA County Department of Public Health and former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra followed suit. The cause of the accident was not immediately known, but it was believed to be caused by over pressurization in the plants electrostatic precipitators. Living in such close proximity to the refinery, Donna Heise said, makes it hard for the couple to ignore the chemicals potential dangers. The decision by the board came one week after the two refineries sent letters offering to install improved safety systems in the coming years if regulators ended their pursuit of new rules for the chemical. It was unclear what caused the fire. Several residents noticed what they described as a larger-than-usual flame from the plant's towering flare stack. When you think about it, she said, it makes you not want to sleep at night.. Its unclear what effect these new calls to action will have on the refineries MHF usage. All Rights Reserved. By then, the husband said, theyd been living in the city long enough to know exactly what the sound was. Prior to joining the Press-Telegram, she served as the Daily Breeze's lead city hall reporter. The work of the Safety Auditor was overseen by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge and approved prior to use of MHF at the refinery.. Hutchings holds a B.A. U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu said in a statement Saturday that he plans to ask the U.S. Chemical Safety Board to include Saturdays incident as part of an ongoing investigation into the problems at the trouble-plagued refinery that began two years ago. The machines are responsible for reducing ammonia and particulate emissions in a plant to comply with environmental regulations. Both the PBF and Valero refineries are situated in densely populated areas of the South Bay: About 245,000 people live within three miles of the Torrance refinery and another 153,000 live within that same distance of Valeros refinery, AQMD said.
We voluntarily enhanced the Alkylation Units robust, layered safety systems already considered by experts to be amongst the most advanced in the world, Lafayette wrote, by installing additional safety enhancements.. In February, a large explosion occurred at ExxonMobil's refinery in Torrance, California. The four victims were found suffering varying degrees on injuries. In the late 1980s, ExxonMobil and Phillips 66 jointly created modified hydrofluoric acid, which boasts a chemical additive that, when used in high enough concentrations, can prevent the poisonous chemical from dispersing. I wish the Torrance City Council had the courage to say that.. Three dozen firefighters knocked down the blaze within a half-hour. Today, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) released its final report into the February 18, 2015, explosion at the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance, California. Hahns February motion also asks the AQMDs refinery committee to provide an update on the status of safety improvements listed in the refineries proffers. For decades, hydrofluoric acid was a standard chemical in oil refining, serving as a catalyst during a process known as alkylation. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Had the tanks ruptured, the report said, it would have caused a massive release of MHF, which can be deadly to anyone who comes in contact with it. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The explosion on Feb. 18, 2015, was described by federal regulators as a serious near miss..
Explosion Rips Through Torrance Refinery, Shakes South Bay Tests have shown that MHF, which Torrance has used since 1997, rapidly expands upon release and can travel at lethal concentrations up to two miles, according to a presentation from AQMD staff. torrance News Caught on video: Car-to-car shooting on 91 Freeway Video shows a shooting between people in two cars traveling on the freeway in the Long Beach area. The Torrance Fire Department responded to an explosion at the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery on Feb. 18, 2015.
The ExxonMobil Explosion That Nobody Is Talking About First published on April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM. The incident caused the refinery to be run at limited capacity for over a year, raising gas prices in California and costing drivers in the state an estimated $2.4 billion. No injuries were reported and there were no evacuations. As a result, unraveling the debates complexities remains challenging. If that was the case, we wouldnt have seen another explosion today, she added. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news. Officials were not aware of their exact conditions, but witnesses said some were seriously hurt. Member-Designated Transportation Projects, Fire erupts at Torrance refinery just hours before protest rally, announced safety rally at the refinery PBF had planned to hold for workers as a counterpoint to the demonstration, Manhattan Beach Office (By Appointment Only). A group of activists on Saturday marked the fifth anniversary of an explosion at the Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance that injured four workers and prompted continuing concerns about the. The proposal had plenty of support: Reps. Nanette Barragan, Ted Lieu and Maxine Waters wrote letters urging the AQMD to pass the rule and phase MHF out of Southern California. Visit our website, www.csb.gov. Four people were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Torrance Sunday afternoon, officials said. There were also questions asking why the emergency refinery sirens did not sound following the accident. Officials were investigating the cause of the over-pressurization. Torrance Refinery on April 22 reported an unplanned flaring event, induced by damaged equipment, that sent an additional 765 pounds of SOx and 143 pounds of volatile organic compounds into the. The explosion was so severe that it caused residents in the area to experience a shock similar to the effects of a 1.7 magnitude earthquake.
ExxonMobil Refinery Explosion Injures Two, Rains Ash There was a "large fire explosion" at the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery in Southern California on Wednesday morning, according to the Torrance Police Department. Homes shook in . They claim nothing has been done, she added, without any proof, other than their beliefs, which are incorrect and misleading.. Refineries are not supposed to have explosions. I urge SCAQMD to act with urgency, said the South Bay Democrat. The explosion filled surrounding neighborhoods with ash, fiberglass, and glass wool.
Advocates renew call for MHF ban on 8th anniversary of Torrance Los Angeles, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids, Calmes: Heres what we should do about Marjorie Taylor Greene, ICE detainees allege retaliation for speaking about medical conditions at Otay Mesa center, Downtown L.A stabbing sends six to hospital; suspect arrested, San Diego Roman Catholic diocese facing yet another lawsuit from its insurance company, K-Pop isnt the only hot ticket in Koreatown how trot is captivating immigrants, Los Angeles is suddenly awash in waterfalls. The CSBs report emphasizes that it is critical that hydrocarbons do not flow into the air side of the FCC unit, as this can create an explosive atmosphere. An ExxonMobil refinery explosion in Torrance injured two, caused a 1.7 magnitude shake and portends pain at the pumps. Those calls for a ban remain. "Our main concern is for the safety of our employees and our neighbors.".
ExxonMobil Refinery Explosion in Torrance, CA - Zehl & Associates Alex Wigglesworth is an environment reporter who covers wildfires for the Los Angeles Times. That 2015 blast registered as a small earthquake that shook nearby houses, injured four of the facilitys workers and covered the area in dust and ash.
ExxonMobil Refinery Explosion Injures Two, Rains Ash Upon - Patch Theyre going to pass it on to the consumer.. Three of them were taken to a nearby hospital, authorities said, after earlier indicating all four had been transported. Fire crews knocked down the blaze within 30 minutes.
Torrance Refinery cited for failing to properly maintain equipment "It was like a loud sonic boom.
Redondo Beach News, Breaking News in Redondo Beach, CA Principal Office: Houston Texas. PBF Energy, which now owns the Torrance Refining Co. refinery, denied that an explosion occurred. All safety systems at the refinery operated correctly and personnel were safe, police said. The PBF Energy facility has been plagued with a series of incidents since the massive blast two years ago that almost caused a catastrophic release of highly toxic hydrofluoric acid that could have killed and injured thousands. There was also minor damage to two adjoining apartments, according to Millea. Gavin Newsom to call for an investigation into the use of modified hydrofluoric acid at the facility, now operated by Torrance Refining Co., as well as by Valeros Wilmington refinery. Chevron, for example, successfully converted its Salt Lake City refinery from HF to a new alkylation technology last year. Im absolutely appalled, said Torrance teacher Julie Stoll, referring to the lack of support from Torrance officials. If you or a loved one were injured or burned in a plant or refinery fire, contact ourplant and refinery accident attorneysfor a free consultation at 1-888-603-3636 or by Clicking Here. The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory for any areas where residents can see or smell smoke. Economic factors, such as job creation and the regional and global importance of oil, further complicate the issue, at least for elected officials. The fire was reported to the South Coast Air Quality Management District and California Office of Emergency Services, police said. In February, a large explosion occurred at ExxonMobils refinery in Torrance, California. Refinery officials, though, say MHF was specifically designed to be safer than its non-modified original hydrofluoric acid and has been reviewed by experts and deemed the best catalyst for the refining process. All rights reserved. All communications are private and confidential. At the center of that debate is the modified part of MHF. My first reaction was, this doesn't sound good, this doesn't look good. In working with inherently dangerous products, it is critical to conduct a robust risk management analysis with the intent of continually safety improvement.. For a while, though, flames shot 40 feet into the air. The refineries are required to provide quarterly updates to the agency.. CSB Chairperson Vanessa Allen Sutherland said, This explosion and near miss should not have happened, and likely would not have happened, had a more robust process safety management system been in place. The new campaign comes several months after air quality regulators killed a years-long push for stronger regulation of hydrofluoric acid at the two refineries.
The CSB is an independent, non-regulatory federal agency charged with investigating serious chemical incidents. Those safety enhancements, Lafayette said, include installing a new protective steel structure, water mitigation dome and curtain, an enhanced HF/MHF detection system, and additional water mitigation monitors. First thing I thought was to call my wife, my kids, and let them know I'm safe.". For more than seven years, members of small, local activist groups have been irresponsibly making claims against the Refinerys use of MHF, without any basis in fact, Lafayette wrote recently. Unfortunately, ExxonMobil, the owner-operator of the refinery at the time of the accident, did not respond to the CSBs requests for information detailing safeguards to prevent or mitigate a release of MHF, and therefore the agency was unable to fully explore this topic in its final report. People, Donna Heise said, are becoming more aware if nothing else over the last seven years.. "I just appreciate that I'm here.
Local battle over toxic chemical at Torrance, Wilmington refineries While the unit where the blast occurred was ordered shut down, the rest of the refinery is still in operation. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. Three were treated and released. Community members who may have been impacted by the explosion can call the ExxonMobil claims hotline at 844-631-2539. Bontas office said it hadnt received a letter from the county. Manhattan Beach, CA crime, fire and public safety news and events, police & fire department updates It provides 362 jobs around $30 million in wages in Torrance, according to its website. They have not yet completed their final investigation, and I will be asking the Chemical Safety Board to include todays fire and explosion as part of their investigation.. The AQMD estimated that replacing the MHF alkylation units with a safer sulfuric acid unit would cost the Torrance refinery about $900 million, and could temporarily impact gasoline supply and cost. She currently lives in Inglewood. Other than the affected crude unit, the refinery continues to operate, Brien said. And Torrance receives about $7.5 million annually in utility user taxes from the refinerys operation. Puedes cambiar tus opciones en cualquier momento haciendo clic en el enlace Panel de control de privacidad de nuestros sitios y aplicaciones. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; We are coming, sheriff says, Hidden, illegal casinos are booming in L.A., with organized crime reaping big profits, Look up: The 32 most spectacular ceilings in Los Angeles, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, David Lindley, guitarist best known for work with Jackson Browne, dies at 78, Newsom, IRS give Californians until October to file tax returns, Best coffee city in the world? Activists held an event Saturday to mark the fifth anniversary of the explosion at the Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance that injured four workers. But at least for now, environmentalists and the refineries remain entrenched in their positions. Please enter valid email address to continue. A Redondo Beach resident told NBC4 windows rattled at his house, about five miles from the refinery. Let's get out of here. Si quieres personalizar tus opciones, haz clic en Gestionar configuracin de privacidad. So far though, it doesn't appear as if any serious damage or injuries have occurred, barring reported explosions in Torrance. Hahn who left the agencys board in December 2019 was one of two votes opposed to accepting the proffers. He said the blast happened in a processing facility and the material involved was gasoline.