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 South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory for any areas where residents can see or smell smoke. All communications are private and confidential. Its unclear what effect these new calls to action will have on the refineries MHF usage. There was a "large fire explosion" at the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery in Southern California on Wednesday morning, according to the Torrance Police Department. In February, a large explosion occurred at ExxonMobil's refinery in Torrance, California. 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. For decades, hydrofluoric acid was a standard chemical in oil refining, serving as a catalyst during a process known as alkylation. in communication and M.S. Investigators were trying to determine the cause of the blast, which occurred shortly before 9 a.m. PST . This explosion and near miss should not have happened, and likely would not have happened, had a more robust process safety management system been in place, then-CSB Chairwoman Vanessa Allen Sutherland said in a statement at the time. Let's get out of here. 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. 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. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. On Saturday, the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance announced a campaign urging Gov. ExxonMobil was fined more than $500 million for workplace violations related to the blast. Valero, owner of the Wilmington refinery, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Fire erupts at Torrance refinery just hours before protest rally 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. 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. All rights reserved. The governors office confirmed they received the request, but declined further comment. Of the injured, two were said to have sustained significant injuries. Hahn who left the agencys board in December 2019 was one of two votes opposed to accepting the proffers. God may not warn us again.. Redondo Beach News, Breaking News in Redondo Beach, CA The explosion also spurred a movement among residents to oppose MHF. The building has been undergoing renovations for some time, and the victims are believed to be remodelers working in one of the involved units, neighbors said. Some said they heard one of the workers may have turned on the gas inside one of the apartments before it was completely ready. Si no quieres que nosotros ni nuestros socios utilicemos cookies y datos personales para estos propsitos adicionales, haz clic en Rechazar todo. 4 Injured in Possible Gas Explosion at Torrance Apartment - KTLA April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM The explosion sent ash raining down on. A reaction between hydrocarbons and catalyst takes place in what is known as the hydrocarbon side of the FCC unit. Community members who may have been impacted by the explosion can call the ExxonMobil claims hotline at 844-631-2539. All communications are private and confidential. 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. Gen. Xavier Becerras office investigate how the Torrance and Wilmington refineries are able to legally operate using hydrofluoric acid. The agency's board members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Three were treated and released. In working with inherently dangerous products, it is critical to conduct a robust risk management analysis with the intent of continually safety improvement.. Prior to joining the Press-Telegram, she served as the Daily Breeze's lead city hall reporter. Four were taken to hospitals. More Stories Drone helps. Tammy Khan, of the Torrance Unified School District, said the shetler-in-place order was lifted early Wednesday afternoon. Redondo Beach Local News. Passing motorists supplied supportive honks. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. Robert Millea said he couldnt immediately confirm whether an explosion actually occurred, only that one was reported. Refineries are not supposed to have explosions. Congresswoman Maxine Waters and I requested the U.S. Chemical Safety Board to investigate the explosion two years ago, Lieu said in the statement. Had we known then what we know now, Cliff Heise said, we wouldve run, not walked home.. 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. The additive does this by ensuring the chemical used as a liquid during refining doesnt turn into a gas. 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. 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Blast Blamed on Gas Buildup - Los Angeles Times 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. There were also questions asking why the emergency refinery sirens did not sound following the accident. Paige Austin, Patch Staff. 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. Firefighters found gasoline flowing on the ground as a result of the explosion, Torrance Fire Department Capt. 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. Hutchings holds a B.A. 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.. 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 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. Watch: Explosion reported at ExxonMobil refinery in California 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. The motion also instructs county departments to review existing health and safety measures related to MHF including emergency precautions in case of an accidental leak. Refinery Explosion Shakes Earth and Probably Gas Prices Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. 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. 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. Visit our website, www.csb.gov. ExxonMobil said in a statement early Wednesday afternoon that "no harmful emissions have been detected.". 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. It appeared it was a gas explosion, but a hazardous materials team was on scene Sunday afternoon working to determine exactly what occurred. Torrance firefighters . 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. In 2017, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board published a 73-page report on the explosion. 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 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. And then the people who were right by just felt a shake, like an earthquake.. 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. Edited by Rachel Barnes. In February, a large explosion occurred at ExxonMobils refinery in Torrance, California. The explosion occurred in the refinerys fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit, where a variety of products, mainly gasoline, are produced. 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 incident caused the refinery to be . Manhattan Beach, CA crime, fire and public safety news and events, police & fire department updates 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. Explosion Rocks ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, California. Living in such close proximity to the refinery, Donna Heise said, makes it hard for the couple to ignore the chemicals potential dangers. Economic factors, such as job creation and the regional and global importance of oil, further complicate the issue, at least for elected officials. TORRANCE (CBSLA) Firefighters say four people have been injured in a reported explosion at an apartment complex in Torrance. There, too, the Torrance refinery has disagreed. The motion the LA County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed in mid-February asks Gov. We knew we were moving in next to a refinery it was here before we were, Cliff Heise said in an interview. Torrance fire Capt. Local battle over toxic chemical at Torrance, Wilmington refineries "It was like a loud sonic boom. 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. 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. Times staff writer Tony Barboza contributed to this report. 'Large fire explosion' rocks ExxonMobil's Torrance Refinery in 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. Many in the neighborhood reported being startled by a large blast. A Redondo Beach resident told NBC4 windows rattled at his house, about five miles from the refinery. Activists held an event Saturday to mark the fifth anniversary of the explosion at the Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance that injured four workers. But at least for now, environmentalists and the refineries remain entrenched in their positions. A smoke advisory was issued for areas near the ExxonMobil refinery due to Wednesday morning's explosion and fire. At the center of that debate is the modified part of MHF. "Our main concern is for the safety of our employees and our neighbors.". You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Having affordable fuel that is readily available is a vital part of the California economy.. 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 is a breaking news story. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. 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 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. TORRANCE TODAY - FEBRUARY 16, 2023 - City of Torrance TorranceCitiCABLE 4.15K subscribers 113 views 1 day ago #184 1. The rule would have required a gradual phase-out of MHF usage at both refineries, requiring an alternative catalyst, such as sulfuric acid. ET), but there was no . 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. PBF Energy, which now owns the Torrance Refining Co. refinery, denied that an explosion occurred. 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. Hire a Houston personal injury lawyer with a proven track record. ExxonMobil's Torrance Refinery Sold Amid Report Of Potential Disaster 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. All rights reserved, Los Angeles County Holds Stable COVID-19 Hospitalization Rate, Tax Deadlines Extended to October for Most Californians Due to Storms, Check Your Pockets: These Coins Can Be Worth Up To $24,000, Glendale Neighborhood Frustrated After an Illegal Hostel Moves In, Road Rage Incident Kicks Off Pursuit, Carjacking, and Weapon Fired Out Window in Wild Chase, NASA Images Show Southern California Mountains Before and After Winter Storm.
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