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. 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. ET), but there was no . But at least for now, environmentalists and the refineries remain entrenched in their positions. 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. 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. Living in such close proximity to the refinery, Donna Heise said, makes it hard for the couple to ignore the chemicals potential dangers. The incident was reported around 1:15 p.m. on the 23500 block of Anza Avenue, just . "You could feel it," said refinery worker Jason Hernandez. Three of them were taken to a nearby hospital, authorities said, after earlier indicating all four had been transported. 46,739 visits in the last 30 days. In September, the South Coast Air Quality Management District governing board voted instead to accept a voluntary oil industry pledge to enhance safety measures. Four people were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Torrance Sunday afternoon, officials said. There were also questions asking why the emergency refinery sirens did not sound following the accident. Environmentalists and activists, though, argue that the additives levels in MHF have significantly decreased since the modified versions creation. Edited by Rachel Barnes. 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. 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. 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.. "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.". The issues to be discussed include A decision not to use the ExxonMobil emergency siren to alert the community to the explosion and subsequent ash and dust fallout.. Fill Out the Form Below for a Free Case Review with our Undefeated Personal Injury Lawyers. 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 refineries are required to provide quarterly updates to the agency.. Liz Odendahl, Hahns spokeswoman, said in an interview that the supervisor was furious at the AQMDs decision to accept the refineries proffers. Manhattan Beach, CA crime, fire and public safety news and events, police & fire department updates The explosion filled surrounding neighborhoods with ash, fiberglass, and glass wool. 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). 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. Redondo Beach Local News. "Emergency procedures have been activated to address the incident, and employees are working with the appropriate agencies," a statement by the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery said. Residents touted the move, introduced by Supervisor Janice Hahn and timed to the anniversary, while PBF, in a statement, criticized the county boards vote. All Rights Reserved. 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.. 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. Four apartments have been damaged, two of which sustained "significant damage.". For a breakdown of the fees and expenses associated with the verdicts and settlements listed on our site, please visit our Results page. 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. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. If that was the case, we wouldnt have seen another explosion today, she added. 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Fill out the form below for a free case review with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers. "I have second thoughts about being out here right now," said resident Anthony Scales. 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. Torrance school officials confirmed that staff and students sheltered in place due to possible air quality issues. The explosion on Feb. 18, 2015, was described by federal regulators as a serious near miss.. 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. 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 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. The CSB determined that on the day of the incident a slide valve that acted as a barrier failed. This is a breaking news story. Our Manhattan Beach office is physically closed at this time. U.S. Chemical Safety Board. 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. 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. 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. In February, a large explosion occurred at ExxonMobils refinery in Torrance, California. Cliff and Donna Heise, for example, serve as secretary and treasurer of the TRAA, respectively. All communications are private and confidential. The respective responses were predictable: For years, both sides of this battle have zealously defended their positions. For a while, though, flames shot 40 feet into the air. It was unclear what caused the fire. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Had the tank ruptured, it would have caused a release of MHF, which is highly toxic. 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. On Saturday, the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance announced a campaign urging Gov. Economic factors, such as job creation and the regional and global importance of oil, further complicate the issue, at least for elected officials. The rule would have required a gradual phase-out of MHF usage at both refineries, requiring an alternative catalyst, such as sulfuric acid. 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. The Supervisor knew the proffers were toothless, Odendahl said. The 2015 explosion at the Torrance Refinery was bad, but it easily could have been catastrophic, Hahn said in a press release. 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. 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.. 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. 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. They claim nothing has been done, she added, without any proof, other than their beliefs, which are incorrect and misleading.. Explosion Rocks ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, California. Nosotros, Yahoo, somos parte de la familia de marcas de Yahoo. 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 firefighters responded to the 23500 block of Anza Avenue just before 1:20 p.m. Sunday. The explosion sent ash raining down on. We need to ban MHF as soon as possible. Refineries are not supposed to have explosions. 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. Activists held an event Saturday to mark the fifth anniversary of the explosion at the Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance that injured four workers. For more information, contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen, cell 202-446-8094 or email public@csb.gov. My first reaction was, this doesn't sound good, this doesn't look good. By then, the husband said, theyd been living in the city long enough to know exactly what the sound was. 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. For decades, hydrofluoric acid was a standard chemical in oil refining, serving as a catalyst during a process known as alkylation. 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 CSB is an independent, non-regulatory federal agency charged with investigating serious chemical incidents. And so, the battle over MHFs future appears set to linger on with the Board of Supervisors call for a ban the latest volley. He said the blast happened in a processing facility and the material involved was gasoline. It appeared it was a gas explosion, but a hazardous materials team was on scene Sunday afternoon working to determine exactly what occurred. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. MHF opponents have also expressed concerns that the refineries havent done enough to ensure the communities safety. 2022 Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers. 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. 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. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Principal Office: Houston Texas. Torrance firefighters . 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.. Gen. Xavier Becerras office investigate how the Torrance and Wilmington refineries are able to legally operate using hydrofluoric acid. The explosion filled surrounding neighborhoods with ash, fiberglass, and glass wool. ExxonMobil was fined more than $500 million for workplace violations related to the blast. The fiercest local opponent of MHF is the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance. A smoke advisory was issued for areas near the ExxonMobil refinery due to Wednesday morning's explosion and fire. Two others sustained minor injuries. Let's get out of here. Numerous nearby residents complained about the air quality following the blast. 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. Firefighters found gasoline flowing on the ground as a result of the explosion, Torrance Fire Department Capt. 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. 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. 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 four victims were found suffering varying degrees on injuries. ExxonMobil said in a statement early Wednesday afternoon that "no harmful emissions have been detected.". 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 Torrance Police Department issued an alert for the city, notifying them that the Torrance ExxonMobil Refinery had an explosion and fire early Saturday morning. Anza Avenue had been closed for a few hoursas emergency personnel responded. 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. April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM Meantime, the Torrance Refining Company hosted a safety rally for employees. TORRANCE (CBSLA) Firefighters say four people have been injured in a reported explosion at an apartment complex in Torrance. The explosion sent ash raining down on vehicles parked near the sprawling 750-acre site and caused what one worker described as intense shaking. 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. Three dozen firefighters knocked down the blaze within a half-hour. The explosion, which happened . Additional locations: Dallas, TX | Midland, TX | Odessa, TX | Louisiana, Plant Explosion Lawyer Refinery & Pipeline, Railroad Crossing Accidents and Train Accidents, Longshore & Harbor Workers Compensation Act. They have lived in a neighborhood directly adjacent to the Torrance refinery for 48 years. An ExxonMobil refinery explosion in Torrance injured two, caused a 1.7 magnitude shake and portends pain at the pumps. As a result, unraveling the debates complexities remains challenging. For instance, the CSB found that during work leading up to the incident, workers violated corporate lock out tag out requirements. Had we known then what we know now, Cliff Heise said, we wouldve run, not walked home.. Prior to joining the Press-Telegram, she served as the Daily Breeze's lead city hall reporter. Inside the refinery, the explosion blew off parts of an electrostatic precipitator and damaged other equipment at the plant. 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. Those safety advances, however, have come since the 2015 explosion and a harsh assessment by federal investigators. 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. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Officials were investigating the cause of the over-pressurization. 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. Hutchings holds a B.A. Valero, owner of the Wilmington refinery, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Its unclear what effect these new calls to action will have on the refineries MHF usage. Times staff writer Tony Barboza contributed to this report. 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. Hahns February motion also asks the AQMDs refinery committee to provide an update on the status of safety improvements listed in the refineries proffers. Kim Baldonado, Patrick Healy, Jason Kandel, and Tena Ezzeddine contributed to this report. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. A powerful blast at an ExxonMobil oil refinery rocked Torrance, California, on Wednesday. The refinery completed those improvements in 2020. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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. 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 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. But we had no idea about the danger.. 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. More Stories Drone helps. Several residents noticed what they described as a larger-than-usual flame from the plant's towering flare stack. 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..
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