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‘Large fire explosion’ rocks ExxonMobil’s Torrance Refinery in California ‘Large fire explosion’ rocks ExxonMobil’s Torrance Refinery in California
(35 minutes later)
There was a “large fire explosion” at the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery in Southern California on Wednesday morning, according to the Torrance Police Department. The explosion, which happened shortly before 9 a.m. local time, prompted a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents, according to police, though fire officials said there was “no chemical release.”There was a “large fire explosion” at the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery in Southern California on Wednesday morning, according to the Torrance Police Department. The explosion, which happened shortly before 9 a.m. local time, prompted a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents, according to police, though fire officials said there was “no chemical release.”
“Air quality readings are within normal range,” police said, adding, “Air Quality Management is on site to evaluate this situation.”  According to police, everyone was accounted for after the incident.  The fire was “quickly extinguished” by both Torrance Fire and ExxonMobil crews, the department added.
According to police, everyone was accounted for after the incident.  The fire was “quickly extinguished” by both Torrance Fire and Mobil crews, the department added. Although police reported three minor injuries, ExxonMobil said in an emailed statement Wednesday afternoon that four of its contractors went to the hospital with minor injuries.
Although an earlier statement from Torrance Police reported three minor injuries, ExxonMobil said in an emailed statement on Wednesday afternoon that four of its contractors went to the hospital with minor injuries. “Our top priority is the safety and health of our employees and neighbors,” the statement read. “Refinery personnel, working with the Torrance Fire Department, are conducting air monitoring at the refinery fence line and in the local community.” The company said that no harmful emissions had been detected.
“Our top priority is the safety and health of our employees and neighbors,” the statement continues, adding, “Refinery personnel, working with the Torrance Fire Department, are conducting air monitoring at the refinery fence line and in the local community,” and that no harmful emissions had been detected so far. Police said that air quality readings were “within normal range,” adding: “Air Quality Management is on site to evaluate this situation.” 
The company promised to conduct a “thorough investigation of the cause of this event.” John White, who lives near the refinery, about 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, told the local NBC affiliate that he was having his morning coffee when “all of a sudden, the whole house shook” with the force of the explosion. “It was just phenomenal,” he said. “It definitely scared us.”
John White, who lives near the refinery, told the Los Angeles NBC affiliate that he was having his morning coffee when “all of a sudden, the whole house shook” with the force of the explosion. “It was just phenomenal,” he said. “It definitely scared us.”
Soon after the explosion, dramatic photos of the aftermath began to emerge:Soon after the explosion, dramatic photos of the aftermath began to emerge:
NewsChopper4 shows ash-covered vehicles after explosion at #Torrance refinery http://t.co/eswOMBhM9x pic.twitter.com/o3eGpcitSJ — NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) February 18, 2015NewsChopper4 shows ash-covered vehicles after explosion at #Torrance refinery http://t.co/eswOMBhM9x pic.twitter.com/o3eGpcitSJ — NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) February 18, 2015
NewsChopper4 shows ash-covered vehicles after explosion at #Torrance refinery http://t.co/eswOMBhM9x pic.twitter.com/o3eGpcitSJNewsChopper4 shows ash-covered vehicles after explosion at #Torrance refinery http://t.co/eswOMBhM9x pic.twitter.com/o3eGpcitSJ
— NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) February 18, 2015— NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) February 18, 2015
#BREAKING: Explosion reported from Exxon Mobil Refinery in Torrance; flare system activated http://t.co/DSSQXX80KF pic.twitter.com/C3k7GwXMe2 — KTLA (@KTLA) February 18, 2015#BREAKING: Explosion reported from Exxon Mobil Refinery in Torrance; flare system activated http://t.co/DSSQXX80KF pic.twitter.com/C3k7GwXMe2 — KTLA (@KTLA) February 18, 2015
#BREAKING: Explosion reported from Exxon Mobil Refinery in Torrance; flare system activated http://t.co/DSSQXX80KF pic.twitter.com/C3k7GwXMe2#BREAKING: Explosion reported from Exxon Mobil Refinery in Torrance; flare system activated http://t.co/DSSQXX80KF pic.twitter.com/C3k7GwXMe2
— KTLA (@KTLA) February 18, 2015— KTLA (@KTLA) February 18, 2015
According to ExxonMobil, approximately 650 employees and 550 contractors work at the 750-acre refinery, which “processes an average of 155,000 barrels of crude oil per day and produces 1.8 billion gallons of gasoline per year.” ExxonMobil promised to conduct a “thorough investigation of the cause of this event.”
According to the company, approximately 650 employees and 550 contractors work at the 750-acre refinery, which “processes an average of 155,000 barrels of crude oil per day and produces 1.8 billion gallons of gasoline per year.”
The refinery, the company says, “is prepared for emergencies with its own fully-equipped fire department, which trains regularly with the Torrance Fire Department.”The refinery, the company says, “is prepared for emergencies with its own fully-equipped fire department, which trains regularly with the Torrance Fire Department.”
Weird ash like substance falling in Torrance! What's up?? pic.twitter.com/UjVcvDnhEA — PVReiki (@PVReiki) February 18, 2015Weird ash like substance falling in Torrance! What's up?? pic.twitter.com/UjVcvDnhEA — PVReiki (@PVReiki) February 18, 2015
Weird ash like substance falling in Torrance! What's up?? pic.twitter.com/UjVcvDnhEAWeird ash like substance falling in Torrance! What's up?? pic.twitter.com/UjVcvDnhEA
— PVReiki (@PVReiki) February 18, 2015— PVReiki (@PVReiki) February 18, 2015
Torrance Mayor Patrick Furey told the NBC affiliate that the dramatic flaring emitting from the refinery after the explosion is a “safety measure.” It happens occasionally, Furey said, but he added that Wednesday’s flames were a little larger than normal.Torrance Mayor Patrick Furey told the NBC affiliate that the dramatic flaring emitting from the refinery after the explosion is a “safety measure.” It happens occasionally, Furey said, but he added that Wednesday’s flames were a little larger than normal.
[This post has been updated.][This post has been updated.]