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. 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. A powerful blast at an ExxonMobil oil refinery rocked Torrance, California, on Wednesday. Cliff and Donna Heise, for example, serve as secretary and treasurer of the TRAA, respectively. 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 potential for an even more catastrophic incident and the release of toxic chemicals and fumes into local communities. If you're interested in joining our team, you can apply for a position here. 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. 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. Activists held an event Saturday to mark the fifth anniversary of the explosion at the Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance that injured four workers. Had we known then what we know now, Cliff Heise said, we wouldve run, not walked home.. Our Manhattan Beach office is physically closed at this time. 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. 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Edited by Rachel Barnes. Visit our website, www.csb.gov. 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. 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 respective responses were predictable: For years, both sides of this battle have zealously defended their positions. Feb . Three dozen firefighters knocked down the blaze within a half-hour. In 2017, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board published a 73-page report on the explosion. "You could feel it," said refinery worker Jason Hernandez. Im absolutely appalled, said Torrance teacher Julie Stoll, referring to the lack of support from Torrance officials. Torrance fire Capt. 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. 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.. Four apartments have been damaged, two of which sustained "significant damage.". Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The shaking was felt primarily in the immediate vicinity of the refinery, according to Caltech. PBF, for its part, has repeatedly said concerns from local groups against MHF were unwarranted. Following the explosion, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health shut down the part of the refinery where the accident occurred. But at the time, theyd never heard of MHF and didnt think much of it. For a while, though, flames shot 40 feet into the air. The four victims were found suffering varying degrees on injuries. 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. Four contractors at the plant suffered injuries and required medical treatment and eight workers had to be decontaminated. 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.. 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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. When you think about it, she said, it makes you not want to sleep at night.. The Supervisor knew the proffers were toothless, Odendahl said. Manhattan Beach, CA crime, fire and public safety news and events, police & fire department updates Before joining the newsroom in 2016, she was a general assignment reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. TORRANCE (CBSLA) Firefighters say four people have been injured in a reported explosion at an apartment complex in Torrance. No further details were immediately available. 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. Another fire? For a while, though, flames shot 40 feet into the air. 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 . 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. 6 Min Read. The incident caused the refinery to be . 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. 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. Prior to joining the Press-Telegram, she served as the Daily Breeze's lead city hall reporter. A smoke advisory was issued for areas near the ExxonMobil refinery due to Wednesday morning's explosion and fire. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. / KCAL News. 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. 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. It appeared it was a gas explosion, but a hazardous materials team was on scene Sunday afternoon working to determine exactly what occurred. Its unclear what effect these new calls to action will have on the refineries MHF usage. Zehl & Associates is always looking for smart, hardworking and talented personal injury attorneys and staff to join our team. ET), but there was no . No injuries were reported, and the fire did not impact anything offsite. 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.. 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. The Torrance refinery, however, also contributes significantly to the citys economy. God may not warn us again.. All Rights Reserved. Congresswoman Maxine Waters and I requested the U.S. Chemical Safety Board to investigate the explosion two years ago, Lieu said in the statement. PBF Energy, which now owns the Torrance Refining Co. refinery, denied that an explosion occurred. 46,739 visits in the last 30 days. PBF also reached a separate agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to upgrade an additional water monitor in 2020, according to Lafayette. 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. 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. 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. They have lived in a neighborhood directly adjacent to the Torrance refinery for 48 years. Valero, owner of the Wilmington refinery, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Four people were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Torrance Sunday afternoon, officials said. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. 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. Two others sustained minor injuries. The 2015 explosion at the Torrance Refinery was bad, but it easily could have been catastrophic, Hahn said in a press release. Living in such close proximity to the refinery, Donna Heise said, makes it hard for the couple to ignore the chemicals potential dangers. Tammy Khan, of the Torrance Unified School District, said the shetler-in-place order was lifted early Wednesday afternoon. 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.. The AQMD scrapped the potential ban in 2019 instead accepting proffers from both refineries that promised to make safety enhancements to their existing MHF units. Authorities said the incident happened around 6 a.m. and 36 firefighters responded to the refinery. Three of them were taken to a nearby hospital, authorities said, after earlier indicating all four had been transported. 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. At the center of that debate is the modified part of MHF. In working with inherently dangerous products, it is critical to conduct a robust risk management analysis with the intent of continually safety improvement.. 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. The large turnout surprised even the diverse group of participants unaccustomed to seeing such political activism in a conservative community. 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. 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. 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. 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. Investigators are still looking into the cause of the explosion, wh. Economic factors, such as job creation and the regional and global importance of oil, further complicate the issue, at least for elected officials. 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. Hire a Houston personal injury lawyer with a proven track record. 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. Finally, the slide valve - a safety-critical safeguard within the system - was degraded significantly. An ExxonMobil refinery explosion in Torrance injured two, caused a 1.7 magnitude shake and portends pain at the pumps. Fill out the form below for a free case review with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers. And then the people who were right by just felt a shake, like an earthquake.. Since the February 2015 explosion, the refinery has experienced multiple incidents. 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. "It was like a loud sonic boom. Four people were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Torrance Sunday afternoon, officials said. "Our main concern is for the safety of our employees and our neighbors.". 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. Cuando utilizas nuestros sitios y aplicaciones, usamos. 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. He said the blast happened in a processing facility and the material involved was gasoline. The CSB also found that in multiple instances leading up to the incident, the refinery directly violated ExxonMobils corporate safety standards. Numerous nearby residents complained about the air quality following the blast. The cause of the fire, which Millea said burned an unspecified amount of crude oil, is under scrutiny by investigators from Cal-OSHA, the states worker safety agency, while a county hazardous materials team also was on the scene. 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. 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. "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.". 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. The improvements, though, also came after sustained pressure from the community and watchdog agencies. All rights reserved. Steve Deuel said. 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. 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). Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. 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 refinery, where about 155,000 barrels of crude oil are processed each day, has been part of the South Bay landscape since the 1920s. They heard a loud explosion, kind of like a sonic boom, said Jason Davis, who lives near the complex. ExxonMobil was fined more than $500 million for workplace violations related to the blast. Gen. Xavier Becerras office investigate how the Torrance and Wilmington refineries are able to legally operate using hydrofluoric acid. 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. 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. Explosion Rocks ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, 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. Four were taken to hospitals. "I just appreciate that I'm here. We need to ban MHF as soon as possible. U.S. Chemical Safety Board. 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. Meantime, the Torrance Refining Company hosted a safety rally for employees. The rule would have required a gradual phase-out of MHF usage at both refineries, requiring an alternative catalyst, such as sulfuric acid. In July 2016, the Torrance refinery was sold by ExxonMobil to PBF Holdings Company, LLC, which now operates as the Torrance Refining Company. The work of the Safety Auditor was overseen by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge and approved prior to use of MHF at the refinery.. 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. That, the report said, would prevent the chemical from dispersing as widely as it would as an aerosol. 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.. Community members who may have been impacted by the explosion can call the ExxonMobil claims hotline at 844-631-2539. A Philadelphia native, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in medical anthropology and global health. 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. 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. 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. The explosion sent ash raining down on. A buildup of natural gas caused the explosion that leveled a Torrance home, damaged scores of others and rained glass, stucco and other debris over a two-block area, investigators said. More information will be added as soon as it becomes available. Many in the neighborhood reported being startled by a large blast. The battle over a highly toxic chemical used in oil refining recently received a fresh jolt, seven years after the substance became a regional cause celebre in the wake of an explosion that rocked the Torrance Refinery. If that was the case, we wouldnt have seen another explosion today, she added. 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. The AQMD estimated that replacing the MHF alkylation units with a safer sulfuric acid unit would cost the Torrance refinery about $900 million, and could temporarily impact gasoline supply and cost. Across California, CA | News | 15h. Torrance officials said there was no chemical release and a citywide shelter-in-place order is not necessary, but those near the site should keep windows closed. Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. 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. Kristy Hutchings covers all things Long Beach including local government, politics, and the environment. 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. For a breakdown of the fees and expenses associated with the verdicts and settlements listed on our site, please visit our Results page. Torrance firefighters responded to the 23500 block of Anza Avenue just before 1:20 p.m. Sunday. 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. Anza Avenue had been closed for a few hoursas emergency personnel responded. The explosion, which happened . 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. For instance, the CSB found that during work leading up to the incident, workers violated corporate lock out tag out requirements. Let's get out of here. Three dozen firefighters knocked down the blaze within a half-hour. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. 2022 Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers. Other groups including the refinerys unions and local businesses feared the potential economic fallout if the refineries were forced to transition to a safer alternative. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Redondo Beach Local News. 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. 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. 1750 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 910 | Washington, DC 20006. The explosion also spurred a movement among residents to oppose MHF. The CSB notes that it is vital to ensure that safety critical equipment can successfully carry out its intended function. Si quieres personalizar tus opciones, haz clic en Gestionar configuracin de privacidad. But in the years since the 2015 explosion, residents have continued decrying MHF. Chevron, for example, successfully converted its Salt Lake City refinery from HF to a new alkylation technology last year. A reaction between hydrocarbons and catalyst takes place in what is known as the hydrocarbon side of the FCC unit. No injuries were reported and there were no evacuations. The refineries arent going to eat that cost, William Burke, former chairman of the SCAQMDs governing board said in a previous interview. 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.. Three were treated and released. 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. ExxonMobil said in a statement early Wednesday afternoon that "no harmful emissions have been detected.". As a result, unraveling the debates complexities remains challenging. 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. It was unclear what caused the fire. 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. 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. Ryan Zehl is the lawyer responsible for this website. 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. But HF is highly corrosive, posing a threat to nearby communities if it were dispersed as a gas during a fire, explosion or the like. TORRANCE TODAY - FEBRUARY 16, 2023 - City of Torrance TorranceCitiCABLE 4.15K subscribers 113 views 1 day ago #184 1. Several residents noticed what they described as a larger-than-usual flame from the plant's towering flare stack. Fortunately, the explosion did not release asbestos, but the material released contained fiberglass and glass wool which can cause respiratory issues.
How Big Is A 4 Oz Bag Of Chips,
Is Belarus A Communist Country?,
1,500 Sq Ft Barndominium Cost,
Pro Bono Family Lawyers Seattle,
Articles E
