Explosion Rocks ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, California. There, too, the Torrance refinery has disagreed. 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. 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. It provides 362 jobs around $30 million in wages in Torrance, according to its website. Various elected officials have periodically attempted to rein in its use at the Torrance refinery and another in Wilmington, the only two in the state that use the chemical. Nosotros, Yahoo, somos parte de la familia de marcas de Yahoo. There was a "large fire explosion" at the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery in Southern California on Wednesday morning, according to the Torrance Police Department. Activists held an event Saturday to mark the fifth anniversary of the explosion at the Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance that injured four workers. They have lived in a neighborhood directly adjacent to the Torrance refinery for 48 years. 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County, Over $38M stolen from low-income SoCal families, Newport Beach home dangling after cliffside collapse, High-speed rail from L.A. to Vegas: What we know, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Weve won over $1 Billion for our clients, recovered some of the largest verdicts and settlement in history, and obtained record-setting victories against the biggest trucking, oil and gas, maritime and petrochemical companies in the world. "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.". Chevron, for example, successfully converted its Salt Lake City refinery from HF to a new alkylation technology last year. Ryan Zehl is the lawyer responsible for this website. The explosion occurred in the refinerys fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit, where a variety of products, mainly gasoline, are produced. That update was completed last year as well. Environmentalists and activists, though, argue that the additives levels in MHF have significantly decreased since the modified versions creation. 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. The Torrance Fire Department responded to an explosion at the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery on Feb. 18, 2015. Numerous nearby residents complained about the air quality following the blast. By then, the husband said, theyd been living in the city long enough to know exactly what the sound was. "I have second thoughts about being out here right now," said resident Anthony Scales. Principal Office: Houston Texas. The explosion filled surrounding neighborhoods with ash, fiberglass, and glass wool. Prior to joining the Press-Telegram, she served as the Daily Breeze's lead city hall reporter. 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. 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. The CSB is an independent, non-regulatory federal agency charged with investigating serious chemical incidents. A powerful blast at an ExxonMobil oil refinery rocked Torrance, California, on Wednesday. It was unclear what caused the fire. 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.. 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. By Nichola Groom 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 injuring four workers and shattering windows of surrounding buildings, authorities said. Explosion at Torrance refinery - Los Angeles Times SUBSCRIBE Copyright 2022, Los Angeles Times | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | CA Notice of Collection | Do Not Sell My Personal. 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. My first reaction was, this doesn't sound good, this doesn't look good. Let's get out of here. 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.. Torrance school officials confirmed that staff and students sheltered in place due to possible air quality issues. Our Manhattan Beach office is physically closed at this time. "Our main concern is for the safety of our employees and our neighbors.". April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM / KCAL News. Some said they heard one of the workers may have turned on the gas inside one of the apartments before it was completely ready. The large turnout surprised even the diverse group of participants unaccustomed to seeing such political activism in a conservative community. 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. Fire crews knocked down the blaze within 30 minutes. So far though, it doesn't appear as if any serious damage or injuries have occurred, barring reported explosions in Torrance. 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. Redondo Beach News, Breaking News in Redondo Beach, CA Those calls for a ban remain. California oil refinery blast sends flames shooting into sky Times staff writer Tony Barboza contributed to this report. 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. 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. The refineries arent going to eat that cost, William Burke, former chairman of the SCAQMDs governing board said in a previous interview. Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers is a Houston Personal Injury Law Firm that represents accident victims across Texas, Louisiana and the United States. TORRANCE TODAY - FEBRUARY 16, 2023 - City of Torrance TORRANCE, Calif. (KABC) -- The Torrance Police Department issued an alert for the city, notifying them that the Torrance ExxonMobil Refinery had an explosion and fire early Saturday. A Philadelphia native, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in medical anthropology and global health. / KCAL News. 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. 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. But in the years since the 2015 explosion, residents have continued decrying MHF. Authorities said the incident happened around 6 a.m. and 36 firefighters responded to the refinery. Another fire? Local battle over toxic chemical at Torrance, Wilmington refineries The agency's board members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Other than the affected crude unit, the refinery continues to operate, Brien said. For a while, though, flames shot 40 feet into the air. 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TORRANCE, Calif. (KABC) -- 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. Four contractors at the plant suffered injuries and required medical treatment and eight workers had to be decontaminated. 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.. "I was having my cup of coffee and all of the sudden the whole house shook, the windows vibrated," said Torrance resident John White. Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Lieu commended the AQMD for its proposal to phase out the use of modified hydrofluoric acid at the plant, one of only two refineries in California to rely on MHF. 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. Following the explosion, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health shut down the part of the refinery where the accident occurred. But the consequences, according to federal investigators, could have been far worse: The explosion, investigators wrote in a report two years later, nearly released tons of modified hydrofluoric acid, potentially putting thousands in the South Bay at risk. Explosion at Torrance refinery - Los Angeles Times 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. 4.3 earthquake strikes near LA, Internet asks 'why did it - MEAWW Advocates renew call for MHF ban on 8th anniversary of Torrance Still, the explosion led to further safety measures, some the refineries put in voluntarily and others they did so essentially at the behest of government agencies. Many in the neighborhood reported being startled by a large blast. There have also been multiple safety enhancements to prevent leaks, they say. The additive does this by ensuring the chemical used as a liquid during refining doesnt turn into a gas. Robert Millea said he couldnt immediately confirm whether an explosion actually occurred, only that one was reported. In February, a large explosion occurred at ExxonMobils refinery in Torrance, California. 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. Visit our website, www.csb.gov. California workplace regulators fined ExxonMobil more than $500 million for the violations related to the explosion. That, the report said, would prevent the chemical from dispersing as widely as it would as an aerosol. 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. The CSBs report concludes that the unit was operating without proper procedures.. Paige Austin, Patch Staff. 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 . Inside the refinery, the explosion blew off parts of an electrostatic precipitator and damaged other equipment at the plant. Living in such close proximity to the refinery, Donna Heise said, makes it hard for the couple to ignore the chemicals potential dangers. 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, then-CSB Chairwoman Vanessa Allen Sutherland said in a statement at the time. But at least for now, environmentalists and the refineries remain entrenched in their positions. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Economic factors, such as job creation and the regional and global importance of oil, further complicate the issue, at least for elected officials. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news. Explosion Rocks ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, California - NBC News Chairperson Sutherland said, Adoption of and adherence to a robust safety management process would have prevented these other incidents. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The explosion, which happened . We need to ban MHF as soon as possible. Anza Avenue had been closed for a few hoursas emergency personnel responded. A reaction between hydrocarbons and catalyst takes place in what is known as the hydrocarbon side of the FCC unit. Finally, the slide valve - a safety-critical safeguard within the system - was degraded significantly. Edited by Rachel Barnes. The motion also instructs county departments to review existing health and safety measures related to MHF including emergency precautions in case of an accidental leak. The cause of the accident was not immediately known, but it was believed to be caused by over pressurization in the plants electrostatic precipitators. Activists marking Torrance refinery explosion anniversary call for 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. The shaking was felt primarily in the immediate vicinity of the refinery, according to Caltech. The Torrance refinery has completed all safety enhancements and Valero has begun installation of some elements of safety measures structures and additional implementation is ongoing, said SCAQMD spokesperson Nahal Mogharabi in an email. Liz Odendahl, Hahns spokeswoman, said in an interview that the supervisor was furious at the AQMDs decision to accept the refineries proffers. Fire, explosion reported at Torrance Refinery, police say Final CSB Report of Explosion at ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, CA Si quieres personalizar tus opciones, haz clic en Gestionar configuracin de privacidad. When released, the chemical can form a deadly, ground-hugging cloud that, in the event of a major leak, could have caused serious injury or death to many community members, according to the agency. "You could feel it," said refinery worker Jason Hernandez. Since the February 2015 explosion, the refinery has experienced multiple incidents. Thousands of people could have been harmed if the MHF had dispersed beyond the Torrance refinery in 2015, the CSB report said. Fire erupts at Torrance refinery just hours before protest rally The motion the LA County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed in mid-February asks Gov. Additional locations: Dallas, TX | Midland, TX | Odessa, TX | Louisiana, Plant Explosion Lawyer Refinery & Pipeline, Railroad Crossing Accidents and Train Accidents, Longshore & Harbor Workers Compensation Act. For more information, contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen, cell 202-446-8094 or email public@csb.gov. 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. Si no quieres que nosotros ni nuestros socios utilicemos cookies y datos personales para estos propsitos adicionales, haz clic en Rechazar todo. The explosion was mostly contained to two of the buildings units, with each sustaining significant damage. First published on April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM. Organizers estimated the crowd size at more than 400. The CSB investigation also discovered that a large piece of debris from the explosion narrowly missed hitting a tank containing tens of thousands of pounds of modified hydrofluoric acid, or MHF. Explosion at Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, California, injures four 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. The crowd gathered at 10 a.m. at Columbia Park on 190th Street, cheering the remarks of Lieu, Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi and other speakers, before marching the short distance to the refinery. Im absolutely appalled, said Torrance teacher Julie Stoll, referring to the lack of support from Torrance officials. The explosion also spurred a movement among residents to oppose MHF. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Several residents noticed what they described as a larger-than-usual flame from the plant's towering flare stack. A smoke advisory was issued for areas near the ExxonMobil refinery due to Wednesday morning's explosion and fire. In July 2016, the Torrance refinery was sold by ExxonMobil to PBF Holdings Company, LLC, which now operates as the Torrance Refining Company. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. California Occupational Safety and Health officials were at the site investigating. Had we known then what we know now, Cliff Heise said, we wouldve run, not walked home.. Puedes cambiar tus opciones en cualquier momento haciendo clic en el enlace Panel de control de privacidad de nuestros sitios y aplicaciones. The building has been undergoing renovations for some time, and the victims are believed to be remodelers working in one of the involved units, neighbors said. Kim Baldonado, Patrick Healy, Jason Kandel, and Tena Ezzeddine contributed to this report. Eight workers were decontaminated at the scene. 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