This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.washingtonpost.com/large-fire-explosion-rocks-exxonmobils-torrance-refinery-in-california/2015/02/18/152c7623-9042-4631-8ad0-9951db46ca5e_story.html?wprss=rss_homepage
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
‘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.” |
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. | |
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. | |
“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. | |
Police said that air quality readings were “within normal range,” adding: “Air Quality Management is on site to evaluate this situation.” | |
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.” | |
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, 2015 | NewsChopper4 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/o3eGpcitSJ | NewsChopper4 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 |
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, 2015 | Weird 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/UjVcvDnhEA | Weird 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.] |