Alex Wigglesworth is an environment reporter who covers wildfires for the Los Angeles Times. 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.. For more than seven years, members of small, local activist groups have been irresponsibly making claims against the Refinerys use of MHF, without any basis in fact, Lafayette wrote recently. (Credit: KTLA) The blast at the refinery, which is located in the 3700 block of West . The motion the LA County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed in mid-February asks Gov. My first reaction was, this doesn't sound good, this doesn't look good. Meantime, the Torrance Refining Company hosted a safety rally for employees. 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 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.. 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 couple was taking a stroll outside of North High Schools football field on the day of the 2015 explosion. Many in the neighborhood reported being startled by a large blast. Kim Baldonado, Patrick Healy, Jason Kandel, and Tena Ezzeddine contributed to this report. 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. The fiercest local opponent of MHF is the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance. Ryan Zehl is the lawyer responsible for this website. 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. They have lived in a neighborhood directly adjacent to the Torrance refinery for 48 years. The explosion occurred in the refinerys fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit, where a variety of products, mainly gasoline, are produced. "I just appreciate that I'm here. By then, the husband said, theyd been living in the city long enough to know exactly what the sound was. Nosotros, Yahoo, somos parte de la familia de marcas de Yahoo. People, Donna Heise said, are becoming more aware if nothing else over the last seven years.. 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. The improvements, though, also came after sustained pressure from the community and watchdog agencies. Explosion Rocks ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, California. In 2017, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board published a 73-page report on the explosion. However, our staff is working remotely and can assist you via phone or email. 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. A Redondo Beach resident told NBC4 windows rattled at his house, about five miles from the refinery. 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. California workplace regulators fined ExxonMobil more than $500 million for the violations related to the explosion. 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 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 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. ExxonMobil was fined more than $500 million for workplace violations related to the blast. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Torrance school officials confirmed that staff and students sheltered in place due to possible air quality issues. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Kristy Hutchings covers all things Long Beach including local government, politics, and the environment. 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. The shaking was felt primarily in the immediate vicinity of the refinery, according to Caltech. 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. But at least for now, environmentalists and the refineries remain entrenched in their positions. The cause of the accident was not immediately known, but it was believed to be caused by over pressurization in the plants electrostatic precipitators. PBF, for its part, has repeatedly said concerns from local groups against MHF were unwarranted. 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. 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. 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. All safety systems at the refinery operated correctly and personnel were safe, police said. Visit our website, www.csb.gov. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. Residents reported shaking normally associated with earthquakes throughout the South Bay area. 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. Principal Office: Houston Texas. 46,739 visits in the last 30 days. 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. They claim nothing has been done, she added, without any proof, other than their beliefs, which are incorrect and misleading.. 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. Para obtener ms informacin sobre cmo utilizamos tus datos personales, consulta nuestra Poltica de privacidad y Poltica de cookies. 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. TORRANCE (CBSLA) Firefighters say four people have been injured in a reported explosion at an apartment complex in Torrance. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. The Supervisor knew the proffers were toothless, Odendahl said. But we had no idea about the danger.. 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. First published on April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM. Prior to joining the Press-Telegram, she served as the Daily Breeze's lead city hall reporter. Passing motorists supplied supportive honks. An ExxonMobil refinery explosion in Torrance injured two, caused a 1.7 magnitude shake and portends pain at the pumps. Edited by Rachel Barnes. 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. Fill Out the Form Below for a Free Case Review with our Undefeated Personal Injury Lawyers. 6 Min Read. Caltech officials said the explosion created ground shaking that was equivalent to a magnitude-1.7 earthquake. Other than the affected crude unit, the refinery continues to operate, Brien said. She currently lives in Inglewood. 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. In working with inherently dangerous products, it is critical to conduct a robust risk management analysis with the intent of continually safety improvement.. Two others sustained minor injuries. 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. Having affordable fuel that is readily available is a vital part of the California economy.. 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. April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM Cliff and Donna Heise, for example, serve as secretary and treasurer of the TRAA, respectively. The latest fire in an ongoing series of mishaps including leaks, excessive flaring and power outages that have plagued the refinery in recent months added fuel to the arguments of opponents that the plant is a safety and environmental hazard. The explosion sent ash raining down on. Four people were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Torrance Sunday afternoon, officials said. California Occupational Safety and Health officials were at the site investigating. 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. Following the explosion, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health shut down the part of the refinery where the accident occurred. Fire crews knocked down the blaze within 30 minutes. 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? And so, the battle over MHFs future appears set to linger on with the Board of Supervisors call for a ban the latest volley. The large turnout surprised even the diverse group of participants unaccustomed to seeing such political activism in a conservative community. Torrance fire Capt. 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 explosion on Feb. 18, 2015, was described by federal regulators as a serious near miss.. "I was having my cup of coffee and all of the sudden the whole house shook, the windows vibrated," said Torrance resident John White. At the center of that debate is the modified part of MHF. Finally, the slide valve - a safety-critical safeguard within the system - was degraded significantly. 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. 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. Several residents noticed what they described as a larger-than-usual flame from the plant's towering flare stack. 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. Community members who may have been impacted by the explosion can call the ExxonMobil claims hotline at 844-631-2539. PBF Energy, which now owns the Torrance Refining Co. refinery, denied that an explosion occurred. Valero, owner of the Wilmington refinery, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Robert Millea said he couldnt immediately confirm whether an explosion actually occurred, only that one was reported. Fill out the form below for a free case review with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers. Four contractors at the plant suffered injuries and required medical treatment and eight workers had to be decontaminated. Eight workers were decontaminated at the scene. 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. 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. Investigators were trying to determine the cause of the blast, which occurred shortly before 9 a.m. PST . 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. PBF also reached a separate agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to upgrade an additional water monitor in 2020, according to Lafayette. 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. 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. And then the people who were right by just felt a shake, like an earthquake.. Investigators are trying to determine what caused the explosion at a Torrance oil refinery that sent four workers to the hospital. For a while, though, flames shot 40 feet into the air. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. 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. 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.. Times staff writer Tony Barboza contributed to this report. Hahn who left the agencys board in December 2019 was one of two votes opposed to accepting the proffers. The refinery previously said that the citys Fire Department has the sole responsibility to decide what tools to use, when to use them, and what area within the community to notify. At the bottom of a public notice explaining the Torrance Community Warning System, however, ExxonMobil has the ability to initiate the use of the Community Alert Sirens and Crenshaw Street Barriers if an incident at the refinery warrants immediate community notification., The Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee and the Environmental Quality Committee has planned a joint hearing to address the emergency response in the Torrance refinery explosion. 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. In July 2016, the Torrance refinery was sold by ExxonMobil to PBF Holdings Company, LLC, which now operates as the Torrance Refining Company. 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. 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. Steve Deuel said. 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. For a while, though, flames shot 40 feet into the air. The explosion, the report said, launched a 40-ton piece of debris that nearly struck tanks carrying tens of thousands of pounds of MHF. That update was completed last year as well. 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. "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.". For more information, contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen, cell 202-446-8094 or email public@csb.gov. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news. 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. A Philadelphia native, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in medical anthropology and global health. 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. No injuries were reported, and the fire did not impact anything offsite. A smoke advisory was issued for areas near the ExxonMobil refinery due to Wednesday morning's explosion and fire. 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. 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. Refineries are not supposed to have explosions. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. On Saturday, the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance announced a campaign urging Gov. The CSB also found that in multiple instances leading up to the incident, the refinery directly violated ExxonMobils corporate safety standards. The explosion also launched an 80,000-pound piece of equipment within feet of a structure that housed a highly volatile and toxic substance, modified hydrofluoric acid. 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. 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. 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