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. 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. The machines are responsible for reducing ammonia and particulate emissions in a plant to comply with environmental regulations. 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. Torrance ExxonMobil Refinery Rocked by Large Explosion - KTLA Cliff and Donna Heise, for example, serve as secretary and treasurer of the TRAA, respectively. The refineries are the only two in the state that use the substance. PBF Energy, which now owns the Torrance Refining Co. refinery, denied that an explosion occurred. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. An explosion at the ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance today sent a plume of black smoke in the air and caused ash to cascade down on the area, but there were only two minor injuries. 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. 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 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. Those calls for a ban remain. Environmentalists and activists, though, argue that the additives levels in MHF have significantly decreased since the modified versions creation. 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. 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. The explosion occurred in the refinerys fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit, where a variety of products, mainly gasoline, are produced. I urge SCAQMD to act with urgency, said the South Bay Democrat. The explosion was mostly contained to two of the buildings units, with each sustaining significant damage. 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. Chairperson Sutherland said, Adoption of and adherence to a robust safety management process would have prevented these other incidents. 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 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. But at least for now, environmentalists and the refineries remain entrenched in their positions. in journalism from the University of Southern California. 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.. 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. He said the blast happened in a processing facility and the material involved was gasoline. The fire was reported to the South Coast Air Quality Management District and California Office of Emergency Services, police said. Bontas office said it hadnt received a letter from the county. 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. A powerful blast at an ExxonMobil oil refinery rocked Torrance, California, on Wednesday. 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 refineries arent going to eat that cost, William Burke, former chairman of the SCAQMDs governing board said in a previous interview. 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. in communication and M.S. Three of them were taken to a nearby hospital, authorities said, after earlier indicating all four had been transported. 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. "Our main concern is for the safety of our employees and our neighbors.". Local battle over toxic chemical at Torrance, Wilmington refineries Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. The explosion, the report said, launched a 40-ton piece of debris that nearly struck tanks carrying tens of thousands of pounds of MHF. Paige Austin, Patch Staff. The incident caused the refinery to be . No injuries were reported and there were no evacuations. 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 South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory for any areas where residents can see or smell smoke. 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. 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.. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. Fill Out the Form Below for a Free Case Review with our Undefeated Personal Injury Lawyers. 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 fiercest local opponent of MHF is the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance. Prior to joining the Press-Telegram, she served as the Daily Breeze's lead city hall reporter. The ExxonMobil near-disaster you probably haven't heard of Im absolutely appalled, said Torrance teacher Julie Stoll, referring to the lack of support from Torrance officials. The couple was taking a stroll outside of North High Schools football field on the day of the 2015 explosion. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. In September, the South Coast Air Quality Management District governing board voted instead to accept a voluntary oil industry pledge to enhance safety measures. 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. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Edited by Rachel Barnes. 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.. Nosotros, Yahoo, somos parte de la familia de marcas de Yahoo. Across California, CA | News | 15h. 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. 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. The explosion sent ash raining down on. April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM / KCAL News. Numerous nearby residents complained about the air quality following the blast. The explosion on Feb. 18, 2015, was described by federal regulators as a serious near miss.. Torrance Refinery cited for failing to properly maintain equipment The remainder of the FCC unit is comprised of a portion of the reaction process and a series of pollution control equipment that uses air and is known as the air side of the unit. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. TORRANCE (CBSLA) Firefighters say four people have been injured in a reported explosion at an apartment complex in Torrance. 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. (Credit: KTLA) The blast at the refinery, which is located in the 3700 block of West . 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. ET), but there was no . Torrance firefighters . As a result, unraveling the debates complexities remains challenging. Kim Baldonado, Patrick Healy, Jason Kandel, and Tena Ezzeddine contributed to this report. Alex Wigglesworth is an environment reporter who covers wildfires for the Los Angeles Times. Fire crews knocked down the blaze within 30 minutes. There, too, the Torrance refinery has disagreed. Caltech officials said the explosion created ground shaking that was equivalent to a magnitude-1.7 earthquake. Some community members do not believe that the company did not enough to respond to the emergency. 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. Officials were not aware of their exact conditions, but witnesses said some were seriously hurt. Ryan Zehl is the lawyer responsible for this website. Its unclear what effect these new calls to action will have on the refineries MHF usage. / KCAL News. 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. First published on April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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.. Visit our website, www.csb.gov. California Occupational Safety and Health officials were at the site investigating. The CSB notes that it is vital to ensure that safety critical equipment can successfully carry out its intended function. Deuel told The Associated Press the flare system was triggered to burn off fuel that could add to the fire. 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. 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. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. It appeared it was a gas explosion, but a hazardous materials team was on scene Sunday afternoon working to determine exactly what occurred. 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. 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. "You could feel it," said refinery worker Jason Hernandez. 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County, Over $38M stolen from low-income SoCal families, Newport Beach home dangling after cliffside collapse, High-speed rail from L.A. to Vegas: What we know, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. 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. People, Donna Heise said, are becoming more aware if nothing else over the last seven years.. Theyre going to pass it on to the consumer.. TORRANCE (CBSLA) Firefighters say four people have been injured in a reported explosion at an apartment complex in Torrance. Watch: Explosion reported at ExxonMobil refinery in California Four apartments have been damaged, two of which sustained "significant damage.". Having affordable fuel that is readily available is a vital part of the California economy.. Activists marking Torrance refinery explosion anniversary call for 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. Redondo Beach Local News. Activists held an event Saturday to mark the fifth anniversary of the explosion at the Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance that injured four workers. A reaction between hydrocarbons and catalyst takes place in what is known as the hydrocarbon side of the FCC unit. 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. Residents reported shaking normally associated with earthquakes throughout the South Bay area. The explosion filled surrounding neighborhoods with ash, fiberglass, and glass wool. Officials were investigating the cause of the over-pressurization. Valero, owner of the Wilmington refinery, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. 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. We knew we were moving in next to a refinery it was here before we were, Cliff Heise said in an interview. But in the years since the 2015 explosion, residents have continued decrying MHF. 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). Final CSB Report of Explosion at ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, CA So far though, it doesn't appear as if any serious damage or injuries have occurred, barring reported explosions in Torrance. 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. 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 morning. Fire erupts at Torrance refinery just hours before protest rally "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.". When you think about it, she said, it makes you not want to sleep at night.. Investigators are trying to determine what caused the explosion at a Torrance oil refinery that sent four workers to the hospital. 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. Explosion Rips Through Torrance Refinery, Shakes South Bay 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. All rights reserved. TORRANCE TODAY - FEBRUARY 16, 2023 - City of Torrance TorranceCitiCABLE 4.15K subscribers 113 views 1 day ago #184 1. 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. 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. 4 Injured In Reported Explosion At Torrance Apartment Complex 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. Four people were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Torrance Sunday afternoon, officials said. Of the injured, two were said to have sustained significant injuries. The cause of the explosion was not known. 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. 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 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. 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. 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. For decades, hydrofluoric acid was a standard chemical in oil refining, serving as a catalyst during a process known as alkylation. Gen. Xavier Becerras office investigate how the Torrance and Wilmington refineries are able to legally operate using hydrofluoric acid. 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.