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. For more information, contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen, cell 202-446-8094 or email public@csb.gov. Cal/OSHA has shut down the fluid catalytic cracker and will only allow operations to resume once it can be exhibited that the unit can operate safely. The incident caused the refinery to be . I wish the Torrance City Council had the courage to say that.. 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. 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. Manhattan Beach, CA crime, fire and public safety news and events, police & fire department updates And Torrance receives about $7.5 million annually in utility user taxes from the refinerys operation. They claim nothing has been done, she added, without any proof, other than their beliefs, which are incorrect and misleading.. An ExxonMobil refinery explosion in Torrance injured two, caused a 1.7 magnitude shake and portends pain at the pumps. We knew we were moving in next to a refinery it was here before we were, Cliff Heise said in an interview. The shaking was felt primarily in the immediate vicinity of the refinery, according to Caltech. April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM / KCAL News. A Philadelphia native, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in medical anthropology and global health. The refinery completed those improvements in 2020. All communications are private and confidential. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Three dozen firefighters knocked down the blaze within a half-hour. For decades, hydrofluoric acid was a standard chemical in oil refining, serving as a catalyst during a process known as alkylation. CSB investigations look into all aspects of chemical accidents, including physical causes such as equipment failure as well as inadequacies in regulations, industry standards, and safety management systems. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. Inside the refinery, the explosion blew off parts of an electrostatic precipitator and damaged other equipment at the plant. Feb . Flares from the stack, part of a safety relief valve system, are part of normal operations that occasionally produce a rumbling sound, like distant thunder, caused by turbulent mixing of vapors. The cause of the accident was not immediately known, but it was believed to be caused by over pressurization in the plants electrostatic precipitators. Hahns February motion also asks the AQMDs refinery committee to provide an update on the status of safety improvements listed in the refineries proffers. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. California Occupational Safety and Health officials were at the site investigating. 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. Some community members do not believe that the company did not enough to respond to the emergency. So far though, it doesn't appear as if any serious damage or injuries have occurred, barring reported explosions in Torrance. Organizers estimated the crowd size at more than 400. California workplace regulators fined ExxonMobil more than $500 million for the violations related to the explosion. Anza Avenue had been closed for a few hoursas emergency personnel responded. Kim Baldonado, Patrick Healy, Jason Kandel, and Tena Ezzeddine contributed to this report. Im absolutely appalled, said Torrance teacher Julie Stoll, referring to the lack of support from Torrance officials. Investigators were trying to determine the cause of the blast, which occurred shortly before 9 a.m. PST . In working with inherently dangerous products, it is critical to conduct a robust risk management analysis with the intent of continually safety improvement.. Electrostatic precipitators are large machines that stand12 stories high and weigh more than 1,000 tons. The four victims were found suffering varying degrees on injuries. A powerful blast at an ExxonMobil oil refinery rocked Torrance, California, on Wednesday. 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. Since the February 2015 explosion, the refinery has experienced multiple incidents. There, too, the Torrance refinery has disagreed. "Our main concern is for the safety of our employees and our neighbors.". 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. Community members who may have been impacted by the explosion can call the ExxonMobil claims hotline at 844-631-2539. All rights reserved. The explosion was mostly contained to two of the buildings units, with each sustaining significant damage. Our Manhattan Beach office is physically closed at this time. 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. PBF also reached a separate agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to upgrade an additional water monitor in 2020, according to Lafayette. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. 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. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Four people were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Torrance Sunday afternoon, officials said. 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 . Finally, the slide valve - a safety-critical safeguard within the system - was degraded significantly. Economic factors, such as job creation and the regional and global importance of oil, further complicate the issue, at least for elected officials. Edited by Rachel Barnes. Cliff and Donna Heise, for example, serve as secretary and treasurer of the TRAA, respectively. Chevron, for example, successfully converted its Salt Lake City refinery from HF to a new alkylation technology last year. No further details were immediately available. Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. PBF Energy, which now owns the Torrance Refining Co. refinery, denied that an explosion occurred. Instead, if a leak occurred, a ground-hugging liquid cloud would form, according to a 2018 report from the Torrance refinery defending its use of the chemical. Si quieres personalizar tus opciones, haz clic en Gestionar configuracin de privacidad. 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. Fill Out the Form Below for a Free Case Review with our Undefeated Personal Injury Lawyers. For instance, the CSB found that during work leading up to the incident, workers violated corporate lock out tag out requirements. Puedes cambiar tus opciones en cualquier momento haciendo clic en el enlace Panel de control de privacidad de nuestros sitios y aplicaciones. It provides 362 jobs around $30 million in wages in Torrance, according to its website. Were also the only law firm in the country thats currently representing over 65 of the workers who were injured in the Williams Geismar explosion, as well as 3 of the 4 workers who were tragically killed in the October 2015 Williams explosion in Gibson, Louisiana. 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. 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. 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. "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.". We need to ban MHF as soon as possible. Congressman Ted Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement on Saturday's fire: Federal investigators in January said a failure to follow safety guidelines was partly to blame for the blast and that the aftermath could have been "catastrophic" had the equipment hit the unit housing MHF. Liz Odendahl, Hahns spokeswoman, said in an interview that the supervisor was furious at the AQMDs decision to accept the refineries proffers. As a result, unraveling the debates complexities remains challenging. 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. Caltech officials said the explosion created ground shaking that was equivalent to a magnitude-1.7 earthquake. 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. A smoke advisory was issued for areas near the ExxonMobil refinery due to Wednesday morning's explosion and fire. More than a day after the accident, no representative from ExxonMobil had directly contacted the Torrance fire chief and city officials still did not know what was in the substances that were released into the surrounding areas. It was unclear what caused the fire. 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. 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 Redondo Beach resident told NBC4 windows rattled at his house, about five miles from the refinery. 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. 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. 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. The CSB also found that in multiple instances leading up to the incident, the refinery directly violated ExxonMobils corporate safety standards. Residents reported shaking normally associated with earthquakes throughout the South Bay area. My first reaction was, this doesn't sound good, this doesn't look good. 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.. And so, the battle over MHFs future appears set to linger on with the Board of Supervisors call for a ban the latest volley. / KCAL News. Nosotros, Yahoo, somos parte de la familia de marcas de Yahoo. All communications are private and confidential. 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. First thing I thought was to call my wife, my kids, and let them know I'm safe.". document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Four apartments have been damaged, two of which sustained "significant damage.". The cause of the explosion was not known. 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. 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. But the proposed ban on MHF is far from the first cost passed onto consumers: The 2015 explosion, according to the CSB, caused the refinery to run at limited capacity for more than a year and raised gas prices in California costing drivers in the state an estimated $2.4 billion. "I was having my cup of coffee and all of the sudden the whole house shook, the windows vibrated," said Torrance resident John White. The explosion sent ash raining down on. 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. We are very proud of the many technical advances we have added to our Alkylation Unit over the years, the refinery says on its website, which is additional proof of our continuing commitment to safe, reliable operations.. Visit our website, www.csb.gov. Redondo Beach Local News. All safety systems at the refinery operated correctly and personnel were safe, police said. Meantime, the Torrance Refining Company hosted a safety rally for employees. The additive does this by ensuring the chemical used as a liquid during refining doesnt turn into a gas. PBF, for its part, has repeatedly said concerns from local groups against MHF were unwarranted. The CSB determined that on the day of the incident a slide valve that acted as a barrier failed. 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. 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. The agency's board members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. 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. 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. 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. "I have second thoughts about being out here right now," said resident Anthony Scales. TORRANCE TODAY - FEBRUARY 16, 2023 - City of Torrance TorranceCitiCABLE 4.15K subscribers 113 views 1 day ago #184 1. Investigators are trying to determine what caused the explosion at a Torrance oil refinery that sent four workers to the hospital. 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 Torrance refinery, according to its website, has made several improvements, including a leak-detection system, upgraded water monitors, 24/7 automated, continuously monitored unit cameras and an expanded water mitigation system. 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. The CSBs report concludes that the unit was operating without proper procedures., MHF was the subject of a thorough technology review by a court-appointed Safety Advisor with input from the City of Torrance, Gesuina Lafayette, PBFs community relations advisor said in a recent email. On a day when activists marked the two-year anniversary of an explosion that rocked the then-ExxonMobil refinery and showered neighborhoods with industrial debris, another fire erupted at the troubled Torrance plant early Saturday. 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. All Rights Reserved. When you think about it, she said, it makes you not want to sleep at night.. There were also questions asking why the emergency refinery sirens did not sound following the accident. The refineries are the only two in the state that use the substance. in communication and M.S. The explosion filled surrounding neighborhoods with ash, fiberglass, and glass wool. Four people were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Torrance Sunday afternoon, officials said. 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. 1750 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 910 | Washington, DC 20006. 6 Min Read. Four were taken to hospitals. The information you review on this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice.The verdicts and settlements that we have listed are simply intended to be representative of the cases that Zehl & Associates has handled for past clients; they are not a guarantee or prediction of the outcome in your or any other lawsuit. He said the blast happened in a processing facility and the material involved was gasoline. Firefighters found gasoline flowing on the ground as a result of the explosion, Torrance Fire Department Capt. 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. Times staff writer Tony Barboza contributed to this report. The Supervisor knew the proffers were toothless, Odendahl said. The refineries are required to provide quarterly updates to the agency.. Activists held an event Saturday to mark the fifth anniversary of the explosion at the Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance that injured four workers. However, our staff is working remotely and can assist you via phone or email. The 2015 explosion, according to the CSB, caused the refinery to run at limited capacity for more than a year and raised gas prices in California costing drivers in the state an estimated $2.4. Although there are alternative alkylation technologies under development, Lafayette said, they still need to be proven to be safe, mechanically reliable, and commercially viable at the scale of the Torrance Alkylation Unit.. 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 large turnout surprised even the diverse group of participants unaccustomed to seeing such political activism in a conservative community. 46,739 visits in the last 30 days. Living in such close proximity to the refinery, Donna Heise said, makes it hard for the couple to ignore the chemicals potential dangers. The couple was taking a stroll outside of North High Schools football field on the day of the 2015 explosion. 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. Let's get out of here. More Stories Drone helps. At the center of that debate is the modified part of MHF. Had the tank ruptured, it would have caused a release of MHF, which is highly toxic. If you're interested in joining our team, you can apply for a position here. Steve Deuel said. The AQMDs own reports warned that the ability of MHF to prevent formation of a vapor/aerosol cloud is highly uncertain and that a release of MHF will result in exposure to HF with the same health effects.. 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. CSB Releases Final Report into 2015 Explosion at ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, California, Drivers of Critical Chemical Safety Change, Process Safety Management for the 21st Century, Emergency Planning and Response (Preparedness), Website design & development by Americaneagle.com. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. 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. 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 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 refinery has been under constant scrutiny since the explosion as small fires and flare ups have been reported since and raised concern among residents living nearby. ExxonMobil said in a statement early Wednesday afternoon that "no harmful emissions have been detected.". Three dozen firefighters knocked down the blaze within a half-hour. PUBLISHED: February 18, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. | UPDATED: February 18, 2023 at 8:01 a.m. It's been eight years since a massive explosion at the Torrance Refinery shook the South Bay with the blast. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. The latest salvo in the battle over MHF came last month, when the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors called for a ban on the highly toxic chemical. mostrar anuncios y contenido personalizados basados en perfiles de inters; medir la efectividad de los anuncios y el contenido personalizados, y. desarrollar y mejorar nuestros productos y servicios. Other than the affected crude unit, the refinery continues to operate, Brien said. Posted Wed, Feb 18, 2015 at 5:20 pm PT. First published on April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM. TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA Just before 9 a.m. on February 18, the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance, California exploded, shaking the surrounding community with the force of a 1.7 magnitude earthquake, and sending a quarter ton of sulfur oxide gas into the atmosphere. 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. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Ryan Zehl is the lawyer responsible for this website. 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. ET), but there was no . Paige Austin, Patch Staff. "It was like a loud sonic boom. Authorities said the incident happened around 6 a.m. and 36 firefighters responded to the refinery. Please enter valid email address to continue. God may not warn us again.. Torrance fire Capt. In September, the South Coast Air Quality Management District governing board voted instead to accept a voluntary oil industry pledge to enhance safety measures. With the addition of these voluntary safety enhancements and other obligations completed and operating, we have fulfilled our obligation to further protect Refinery personnel and the community, Lafayette said. TORRANCE (CBSLA) Firefighters say four people have been injured in a reported explosion at an apartment complex in Torrance. 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). All the while, officials at those facilities have defended the chemicals use as safe. Kristy Hutchings covers all things Long Beach including local government, politics, and the environment.
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