Inside the refinery, the explosion blew off parts of an electrostatic precipitator and damaged other equipment at the plant. The fire, possibly triggered by an explosion that has not yet been confirmed, was reported at 6 a.m. Saturday in the plants crude oil unit, said Torrance Assistant Fire Chief Steve Treskes. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The Supervisor knew the proffers were toothless, Odendahl said. But HF is highly corrosive, posing a threat to nearby communities if it were dispersed as a gas during a fire, explosion or the like. The explosion sent ash raining down on. Explosion at Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, California, injures four Two others sustained minor injuries. PBF Energy, which now owns the Torrance Refining Co. refinery, denied that an explosion occurred. The Torrance Police Department issued an alert for the city, notifying them that the Torrance ExxonMobil Refinery had an explosion and fire early Saturday morning. Si no quieres que nosotros ni nuestros socios utilicemos cookies y datos personales para estos propsitos adicionales, haz clic en Rechazar todo. 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.. Firefighters found gasoline flowing on the ground as a result of the explosion, Torrance Fire Department Capt. 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. Fortunately, the explosion did not release asbestos, but the material released contained fiberglass and glass wool which can cause respiratory issues. However, our staff is working remotely and can assist you via phone or email. Residents reported shaking normally associated with earthquakes throughout the South Bay area. Kim Baldonado, Patrick Healy, Jason Kandel, and Tena Ezzeddine contributed to this report. Explosion at Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, California, injures four The cause of the fire, which Millea said burned an unspecified amount of crude oil, is under scrutiny by investigators from Cal-OSHA, the states worker safety agency, while a county hazardous materials team also was on the scene. A five-story processing unit had burst open, spewing industrial ash over a mile away that some mistook for snow and propelling a 40-ton hunk of equipment into the air. If you're interested in joining our team, you can apply for a position here. The refineries are the only two in the state that use the substance. The 2015 explosion at the Torrance Refinery was bad, but it easily could have been catastrophic, Hahn said in a press release. Explosion at Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, California, injures four 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. Refinery officials those from ExxonMobil, which owned the Torrance Refining Company during the explosion, and current owner PBF Energy have repeatedly pushed back on that conclusion, saying MHF doesnt pose a widespread threat. Investigators were trying to determine the cause of the blast, which occurred shortly before 9 a.m. PST . Hutchings holds a B.A. Three dozen firefighters knocked down the blaze within a half-hour. No injuries were reported, and the fire did not impact anything offsite. Explosion Rocks ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, California - NBC News 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? 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. Many in the neighborhood reported being startled by a large blast. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Blast Blamed on Gas Buildup - Los Angeles Times Its been a few years now, and there has been very little progress.. Refinery Explosion Shakes Earth and Probably Gas Prices The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory for any areas where residents can see or smell smoke. The investigation of the Torrance explosion by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board revealed that a piece of equipment nearly crashed into a tank holding tens of thousands of pounds of modified hydrofluoric acid a highly toxic chemical used to make high-octane gasoline. The explosion filled surrounding neighborhoods with ash, fiberglass, and glass wool. The AQMD scrapped the potential ban in 2019 instead accepting proffers from both refineries that promised to make safety enhancements to their existing MHF units. 4 Injured in Possible Gas Explosion at Torrance Apartment - KTLA And those who run the Torrance facility also say its refinery hasnt experienced an off-site leak of either HF or MHF since it opened in 1966. 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. Investigators are still looking into the cause of the explosion, wh. The LA County Department of Public Health and former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra followed suit. And Torrance receives about $7.5 million annually in utility user taxes from the refinerys operation. Torrance firefighters . ExxonMobil Refinery Explosion in Torrance, CA - Zehl & Associates The issues to be discussed include A decision not to use the ExxonMobil emergency siren to alert the community to the explosion and subsequent ash and dust fallout.. 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. Those calls for a ban remain. TORRANCE An explosion and fire in a gasoline processing unit rocked the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance today, injuring three workers and sending flames and ash into the sky. Since then, at least one leak of hydrofluoric acid and several fires have prompted the South Coast Air Quality Management District to propose a ban on hydrofluoric acid. An ExxonMobil refinery explosion in Torrance injured two, caused a 1.7 magnitude shake and portends pain at the pumps. But at the time, theyd never heard of MHF and didnt think much of it. The fire was reported to the South Coast Air Quality Management District and California Office of Emergency Services, police said. All communications are private and confidential. The blast caused serious property damage to the refinery and scattered catalyst dust up to a mile away from the facility into the nearby community. Organizers estimated the crowd size at more than 400. TORRANCE TODAY is a 15-minute live news broadcast airing Monday. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. By then, the husband said, theyd been living in the city long enough to know exactly what the sound was. 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. People, Donna Heise said, are becoming more aware if nothing else over the last seven years.. Its unacceptable we were put in harms way, said Daphne Wong, who added that she does not believe the official line that Torrance is a safe community. All safety systems at the refinery operated correctly and personnel were safe, police said. "I kind of figured we had an earthquake, then I realized, living by the factory for all those years, they had a problem with the factory.". And the incident was avoidable, CSB said: Mismanagement and improper safety protocols put in place by then-owner ExxonMobil who sold the refinery to PBF Energy shortly after the incident made the explosion likely. Those safety advances, however, have come since the 2015 explosion and a harsh assessment by federal investigators. Theyre going to pass it on to the consumer.. But we had no idea about the danger.. Kristy Hutchings covers all things Long Beach including local government, politics, and the environment. Since the February 2015 explosion, the refinery has experienced multiple incidents. Gen. Xavier Becerras office investigate how the Torrance and Wilmington refineries are able to legally operate using hydrofluoric acid. 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. It appeared it was a gas explosion, but a hazardous materials team was on scene Sunday afternoon working to determine exactly what occurred. TORRANCE, Calif. (Reuters) - An explosion and fire ripped through a gasoline processing unit at an Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, California, near Los Angeles on Wednesday, slightly . Numerous nearby residents complained about the air quality following the blast. First published on April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM. One person remained hospitalized with a knee injury. The Board does not issue citations or fines but does make safety recommendations to plants, industry organizations, labor groups, and regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA. And then the people who were right by just felt a shake, like an earthquake.. Had the tank ruptured, it would have caused a release of MHF, which is highly toxic. 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 blast caused serious property damage to the refinery and scattered catalyst dust up to a mile away from the facility into the nearby community. At the center of that debate is the modified part of MHF. After protests and intensified public pressure from such activists as the Heises mounted in 2017, the AQMDs Proposed Rule 1410 became a key focus of the agencys Governing Board. The fire, possibly triggered by an explosion that has not yet been confirmed, was reported at 6 a.m. Saturday in the plant's crude oil unit, said Torrance Assistant Fire Chief Steve Treskes. The explosion on Feb. 18, 2015, was described by federal regulators as a serious near miss.. Anza Avenue had been closed for a few hoursas emergency personnel responded. 1750 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 910 | Washington, DC 20006. We cant assume we will be so lucky next time, whether that is another refinery accident, an earthquake, or God-forbid, an attack., The passage of the Supervisors motion is disappointing, she said in an email, because many of the points they make are both misleading and the projects are already in place, following agreements with several government agencies to install additional safety measures.. The respective responses were predictable: For years, both sides of this battle have zealously defended their positions. There was also minor damage to two adjoining apartments, according to Millea. Economic factors, such as job creation and the regional and global importance of oil, further complicate the issue, at least for elected officials. An explosion at the ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance today sent a plume of black smoke in the air and caused ash to cascade down on the area, but there were only two minor injuries. 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. All communications are private and confidential. I cant believe they dont have the guts to stand up and say, This is wrong and MHF needs to be out of our community, she said. Bontas office said it hadnt received a letter from the county. Tammy Khan, of the Torrance Unified School District, said the shetler-in-place order was lifted early Wednesday afternoon. 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. In the past 5 years alone, our Plant Explosion Lawyers have Won over $1 Billion for workers who were seriously injured and burned in refinery and industrial accidents, represented workers in connection with every major plant and refinery explosion in recent history, and recovered record-setting verdicts and settlements against the largest oil and gas companies in the world, including ExxonMobil, Williams, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips. Minor injuries were reported after the explosion ripped apart structures at the oil refinery and shook homes for miles around the blast site in southern Los Angeles County. Posted Wed, Feb 18, 2015 at 5:20 pm PT. May 3, 2017, Torrance, CA, -- 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. Redondo Beach News, Breaking News in Redondo Beach, CA Several residents noticed what they described as a larger-than-usual flame from the plant's towering flare stack. Explosion reported in Torrance Fire department vehicles will patrol Los Angeles with vehicles and helicopters to identify the damage or emergency needs, it was reported. But in the years since the 2015 explosion, residents have continued decrying MHF. At least 12 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Trump speaks at CPAC after winning straw poll, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Man charged for alleged involvement in 2 transformer explosions, Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. Bush, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant to "take some time away" from the team after allegedly brandishing a gun in a club, Alex Murdaugh trial: What to know about the double murder case. Overturned gas tanker explodes, killing 1 person, Texas mom in custody after 5 of her kids were stabbed, leaving 3 dead, Ja Morant says he'll get help after video shows apparent gun. Thick smoke rose from a mangled, multiple-story portion of the Torrance ExxonMobil Refinery, located south of the 405 Freeway, after the 8:50 a.m. blast. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. For decades, hydrofluoric acid was a standard chemical in oil refining, serving as a catalyst during a process known as alkylation. The CSB notes that it is vital to ensure that safety critical equipment can successfully carry out its intended function. Deuel told The Associated Press the flare system was triggered to burn off fuel that could add to the fire. 4 Injured In Reported Explosion At Torrance Apartment Complex TORRANCE TODAY - FEBRUARY 16, 2023 - City of Torrance ExxonMobil Refinery Explosion Injures Two, Rains Ash Upon - Patch No injuries were reported and there were no evacuations. The couple was taking a stroll outside of North High Schools football field on the day of the 2015 explosion. Explosion Rocks ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, California. TORRANCE (CBSLA.com) A New Jersey-based oil refining company announced Wednesday it is purchasing the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance that was badly damaged in a February explosion, with. Torrance News - ABC7 Los Angeles The motion the LA County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed in mid-February asks Gov. 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. In its final report, the CSB describes multiple gaps in the refinerys process safety management system, allowing for the operation of the FCC unit without pre-established safe operating limits and criteria for a shut down. Refinery spokeswoman Betsy Brien said the fire was quickly extinguished and the Del Amo Boulevard barriers were activated to close the road under an abundance of caution.. Across California, CA | News | 15h. Liz Odendahl, Hahns spokeswoman, said in an interview that the supervisor was furious at the AQMDs decision to accept the refineries proffers. The CSB is an independent, non-regulatory federal agency charged with investigating serious chemical incidents. It was unclear what caused the fire. Residents touted the move, introduced by Supervisor Janice Hahn and timed to the anniversary, while PBF, in a statement, criticized the county boards vote. We knew we were moving in next to a refinery it was here before we were, Cliff Heise said in an interview. All rights reserved. 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. Paige Austin, Patch Staff. The explosion sent ash raining down on vehicles parked near the sprawling 750-acre site and caused what one worker described as intense shaking. A smoke advisory was issued for areas near the ExxonMobil refinery due to Wednesday morning's explosion and fire. TORRANCE TODAY - FEBRUARY 16, 2023 - City of Torrance TorranceCitiCABLE 4.15K subscribers 113 views 1 day ago #184 1. Four people were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Torrance Sunday afternoon, officials said. "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. Im absolutely appalled, said Torrance teacher Julie Stoll, referring to the lack of support from Torrance officials. With the capacity to refine more than 150,000 barrels of gasoline a day, the . Environmentalists and concerned residents say MHF could prove catastrophic if the chemical were to escape, pointing to its corrosivity and studies that show its ability to travel beyond a refinerys footprint. Para obtener ms informacin sobre cmo utilizamos tus datos personales, consulta nuestra Poltica de privacidad y Poltica de cookies. A Redondo Beach resident told NBC4 windows rattled at his house, about five miles from the refinery. 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. Edited by Rachel Barnes. 6 Min Read. April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM Notably absent from the event was any sign of Torrance elected officials, although police officers in several patrol cars discreetly kept their eye on the peaceful protesters from a distance. There, too, the Torrance refinery has disagreed. The fiercest local opponent of MHF is the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance. Final CSB Report of Explosion at ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, CA in communication and M.S. Every one of our lawyers is a Houston personal injury attorney whos undefeated in the courtroom and has recovered some of the largest verdicts and settlements in history. Other groups including the refinerys unions and local businesses feared the potential economic fallout if the refineries were forced to transition to a safer alternative. 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). The additive does this by ensuring the chemical used as a liquid during refining doesnt turn into a gas. The explosion, the report said, launched a 40-ton piece of debris that nearly struck tanks carrying tens of thousands of pounds of MHF. Authorities said the incident happened around 6 a.m. and 36 firefighters responded to the refinery. My first reaction was, this doesn't sound good, this doesn't look good. 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. There was no sign of an announced safety rally at the refinery PBF had planned to hold for workers as a counterpoint to the demonstration so they could reflect upon the (2015) incident.. The remainder of the FCC unit is comprised of a portion of the reaction process and a series of pollution control equipment that uses air and is known as the air side of the unit. Homes shook in . Really? read one of the signs carried by chanting marchers who endured a steady downpour to protest the use of toxic hydrofluoric acid at the refinery. Hahns February motion also asks the AQMDs refinery committee to provide an update on the status of safety improvements listed in the refineries proffers. They have lived in a neighborhood directly adjacent to the Torrance refinery for 48 years. As a result, unraveling the debates complexities remains challenging. In July 2016, the Torrance refinery was sold by ExxonMobil to PBF Holdings Company, LLC, which now operates as the Torrance Refining Company. ExxonMobil Refinery Explosion Injures Two, Rains Ash Upon Neighborhood - Redondo Beach, CA - The blast at the Torrance refinery could be seen for miles and caused 1.7 magnitude ground-shaking. / KCAL News. Other than the affected crude unit, the refinery continues to operate, Brien said. A powerful blast at an ExxonMobil oil refinery rocked Torrance, California, on Wednesday. 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. For a while, though, flames shot 40 feet into the air. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 46,739 visits in the last 30 days. Before joining the newsroom in 2016, she was a general assignment reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com. Chairperson Sutherland said, There are valuable lessons to be learned and applied at this refinery, and to all refineries in the U.S. Keeping our refineries operating safely is critical to the well-being of the employees and surrounding communities, as well as to the economy.. That update was completed last year as well. Some said they heard one of the workers may have turned on the gas inside one of the apartments before it was completely ready. We need to ban MHF as soon as possible. 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. Fill Out the Form Below for a Free Case Review with our Undefeated Personal Injury Lawyers. Our Manhattan Beach office is physically closed at this time. 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. Workers were seen boarded up the windows of the affected apartments later Sunday afternoon. Four contractors at the plant suffered injuries and required medical treatment and eight workers had to be decontaminated. Robert Millea said he couldnt immediately confirm whether an explosion actually occurred, only that one was reported. TORRANCE, Calif.- An explosion and fire ripped through a gasoline processing unit at an Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, California, near Los Angeles on Wednesday, slightly injuring four workers and shattering windows of surrounding buildings, authorities said.Investigators were trying to determine the cause of the blast, which occurred shortly before 9 a.m. PST (12 p.m. Local battle over toxic chemical at Torrance, Wilmington refineries Fill out the form below for a free case review with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers. in journalism from the University of Southern California. That failure ultimately allowed hydrocarbons to flow into the air side of the FCC, where they ignited in a piece of equipment called the electrostatic precipitator, or ESP, causing an explosion of the ESP. ET), but there was no . Activists carried signs reading Congratulations PBF, zero days explosion free and All lives matter while chanting Hey, hey, ho, ho, MHF has got to go. Some said the turnout demonstrates the series of refinery disruptions has reached a crisis point.

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