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. Deuel told The Associated Press the flare system was triggered to burn off fuel that could add to the fire. 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. 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. 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. They heard a loud explosion, kind of like a sonic boom, said Jason Davis, who lives near the complex. 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. proporcionarte nuestros sitios y aplicaciones; autenticar usuarios, aplicar medidas de seguridad y evitar el spam y los abusos, y. medir el uso que haces de nuestros sitios y aplicaciones. Homes shook in . Refineries are not supposed to have explosions. 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. California workplace regulators fined ExxonMobil more than $500 million for the violations related to the explosion. While the unit where the blast occurred was ordered shut down, the rest of the refinery is still in operation. Congresswoman Maxine Waters and I requested the U.S. Chemical Safety Board to investigate the explosion two years ago, Lieu said in the statement. 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. Fill out the form below for a free case review with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers. 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. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bontas offices to take all possible actions to require refineries in California to convert from MHF to safer alternatives.. 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. The motion the LA County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed in mid-February asks Gov. explosion also launched an 80,000-pound piece of equipment, failure to follow safety guidelines was partly to blame for the blast. 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. Visit our website, www.csb.gov. 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. 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. 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.. 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. Firefighters found gasoline flowing on the ground as a result of the explosion, Torrance Fire Department Capt. Valero, owner of the Wilmington refinery, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. 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.. 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. 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. A powerful blast at an ExxonMobil oil refinery rocked Torrance, California, on Wednesday. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. 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. Si no quieres que nosotros ni nuestros socios utilicemos cookies y datos personales para estos propsitos adicionales, haz clic en Rechazar todo. And so, the battle over MHFs future appears set to linger on with the Board of Supervisors call for a ban the latest volley. April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM All Rights Reserved. In February, a large explosion occurred at ExxonMobil's refinery in Torrance, California. 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. The CSB determined that on the day of the incident a slide valve that acted as a barrier failed. We need to ban MHF as soon as possible. Liz Odendahl, Hahns spokeswoman, said in an interview that the supervisor was furious at the AQMDs decision to accept the refineries proffers. The incident caused the refinery to be run at limited capacity for over a year, raising gas prices in California and costing drivers in the state an estimated $2.4 billion. 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. Bontas office said it hadnt received a letter from the county. 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. Three were treated and released. Across California, CA | News | 15h. The four victims were found suffering varying degrees on injuries. 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. 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. Feb . Chairperson Sutherland said, Adoption of and adherence to a robust safety management process would have prevented these other incidents. With the capacity to refine more than 150,000 barrels of gasoline a day, the . Some community members do not believe that the company did not enough to respond to the emergency. All the while, officials at those facilities have defended the chemicals use as safe. If that was the case, we wouldnt have seen another explosion today, she added. The bottom line is Torrance Refinery now has the most advanced safety systems of any HF Alkylation Unit in California, the U.S., and the world.. 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 blast caused serious property damage to the refinery and scattered catalyst dust up to a mile away from the facility into the nearby community. And Torrance receives about $7.5 million annually in utility user taxes from the refinerys operation. 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. 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. For instance, the CSB found that during work leading up to the incident, workers violated corporate lock out tag out requirements. Community members who may have been impacted by the explosion can call the ExxonMobil claims hotline at 844-631-2539. The Heises, for their part, are still working to educate residents in Torrance and Wilmington about their MHF concerns and are grateful the issue is still being monitored. 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. I wish the Torrance City Council had the courage to say that.. Electrostatic precipitators are large machines that stand12 stories high and weigh more than 1,000 tons. 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. And then the people who were right by just felt a shake, like an earthquake.. 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. The refineries are required to provide quarterly updates to the agency.. 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.. There have also been multiple safety enhancements to prevent leaks, they say. In 2004, the South Coast Air Quality Management District said much the same in an environmental analysis the agency did when Valero introduced MHF at its Wilmington refinery. They have lived in a neighborhood directly adjacent to the Torrance refinery for 48 years. 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. 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. Thousands of people could have been harmed if the MHF had dispersed beyond the Torrance refinery in 2015, the CSB report said. 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. 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 blast caused serious property damage to the refinery and scattered catalyst dust up to a mile away from the facility into the nearby community. 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. in journalism from the University of Southern California. 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. 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. "Our main concern is for the safety of our employees and our neighbors.". The CSB notes that it is vital to ensure that safety critical equipment can successfully carry out its intended function. 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. Local battle over toxic chemical at Torrance,, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Local battle over toxic chemical at Torrance, Wilmington refineries continues, Baby girl Winter of Lake Arrowhead is born amid raging blizzard, Texas congressman who broke with GOP is censured, Biden expected to tighten rules on US investment in China, More Iranian schoolgirls sickened in suspected poisoning wave, explosion that rocked the Torrance Refinery, according to a 2018 report from the Torrance refinery defending its use of the chemical, protests and intensified public pressure from such activists, Heres why AQMD committee chose enhanced safety measures over a ban on MHF at refineries in Wilmington and Torrance, LA public health official urges phasing out MHF chemical at Torrance, Wilmington refineries, Activists call for state investigation into use of toxic chemical at two South Bay refineries, Court rules ExxonMobil must give feds crucial data on 2015 Torrance refinery explosion, Explosion at Torrance ExxonMobil refinery injures 4; spike in gas prices expected, Alpine Village shopkeepers get confirmation: theyre being evicted, San Pedro Fish Market bids a sad goodbye to legacy location, Alpine Village, for decades a German American hub, faces unknown future, Appeals court ruling in Lunada Bay Boys case could make cities liable for surf localism, Gracie Abrams behind Good Riddance message in Los Angeles sky, Tax filing deadline moves to mid-October for most Californians, 6 suspects wanted for holding up armored cars for $550,000-plus in Hawthorne, LA and Inglewood, California weighs $360,000 in reparations to eligible Black residents, Hermosa Beach Police arrest 2 men suspected in shooting attempt, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. in communication and M.S. The explosion sent ash raining down on. Had we known then what we know now, Cliff Heise said, we wouldve run, not walked home.. 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. Hutchings holds a B.A. Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Investigators were trying to determine the cause of the blast, which occurred shortly before 9 a.m. PST . The CSB also found that in multiple instances leading up to the incident, the refinery directly violated ExxonMobils corporate safety standards. Hire a Houston personal injury lawyer with a proven track record. 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. We knew we were moving in next to a refinery it was here before we were, Cliff Heise said in an interview. That 2015 blast registered as a small earthquake that shook nearby houses, injured four of the facilitys workers and covered the area in dust and ash. The incident was reported around 1:15 p.m. on the 23500 block of Anza Avenue, just . The 2015 explosion at the Torrance Refinery was bad, but it easily could have been catastrophic, Hahn said in a press release. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Torrance fire Capt. Eight workers were decontaminated at the scene. Meantime, the Torrance Refining Company hosted a safety rally for employees. The governors office confirmed they received the request, but declined further comment. Hahns February motion also asks the AQMDs refinery committee to provide an update on the status of safety improvements listed in the refineries proffers. The SCAQMD didnt comment on Hahns request for the organization to reexamine the viability of alternative technologies to MHF, some of which may be more commercially available than they were at the time of the vote. People gathered in protest at the refinery later in the afternoon on the 2-year anniversary of an explosion at the plant that left two people injured. But we had no idea about the danger.. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. Four people were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Torrance Sunday afternoon, officials said. It was unclear what caused the fire. Activists held an event Saturday to mark the fifth anniversary of the explosion at the Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance that injured four workers. Three dozen firefighters knocked down the blaze within a half-hour. In February, a large explosion occurred at ExxonMobils refinery in Torrance, California. 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. The explosion filled surrounding neighborhoods with ash, fiberglass, and glass wool. Several contractors were injured in the Feb. 18, 2015, blast that shut down the refinery for more than a year, leading to soaring gas prices in Southern California. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. At the center of that debate is the modified part of MHF. U.S. Chemical Safety Board. Workers were seen boarded up the windows of the affected apartments later Sunday afternoon. 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. He said the blast happened in a processing facility and the material involved was gasoline. A blast was reported at the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance, California. We voluntarily enhanced the Alkylation Units robust, layered safety systems already considered by experts to be amongst the most advanced in the world, Lafayette wrote, by installing additional safety enhancements.. The refineries are the only two in the state that use the substance. 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. 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). Robert Millea said he couldnt immediately confirm whether an explosion actually occurred, only that one was reported. 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. Hahn who left the agencys board in December 2019 was one of two votes opposed to accepting the proffers. 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. 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. The improvements, though, also came after sustained pressure from the community and watchdog agencies. Several residents noticed what they described as a larger-than-usual flame from the plant's towering flare stack. Cliff and Donna Heise, for example, serve as secretary and treasurer of the TRAA, respectively. 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. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. For a while, though, flames shot 40 feet into the air. More Stories Drone helps. TORRANCE TODAY is a 15-minute live news broadcast airing Monday. If you're interested in joining our team, you can apply for a position here. 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. So far though, it doesn't appear as if any serious damage or injuries have occurred, barring reported explosions in Torrance. Having affordable fuel that is readily available is a vital part of the California economy.. The cause of the explosion was not known. Hours after an explosion ripped through a Torrance refinery, residents for miles around continue to grapple with ash, a gas odor and concerns over poor air quality while inspectors confirmed that a filtration device was the source of the blast. On Saturday, the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance announced a campaign urging Gov. Anza Avenue had been closed for a few hoursas emergency personnel responded. 1750 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 910 | Washington, DC 20006. April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM / KCAL News. 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. 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 incident caused the refinery to be . Gen. Xavier Becerras office investigate how the Torrance and Wilmington refineries are able to legally operate using hydrofluoric acid. 2022 Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers. Theyre going to pass it on to the consumer.. Investigators are trying to determine what caused the explosion at a Torrance oil refinery that sent four workers to the hospital. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. The large turnout surprised even the diverse group of participants unaccustomed to seeing such political activism in a conservative community. 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. Investigators are still looking into the cause of the explosion, wh. 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.. Four contractors at the plant suffered injuries and required medical treatment and eight workers had to be decontaminated. PBF also reached a separate agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to upgrade an additional water monitor in 2020, according to Lafayette. This is a breaking news story. A Redondo Beach resident told NBC4 windows rattled at his house, about five miles from the refinery. 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.. 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. By then, the husband said, theyd been living in the city long enough to know exactly what the sound was. 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. Si quieres personalizar tus opciones, haz clic en Gestionar configuracin de privacidad. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. 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.
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