explosion in torrance today

First thing I thought was to call my wife, my kids, and let them know I'm safe.". We need to ban MHF as soon as possible. Investigators are trying to determine what caused the explosion at a Torrance oil refinery that sent four workers to the hospital. Having affordable fuel that is readily available is a vital part of the California economy.. Chairperson Sutherland said, Adoption of and adherence to a robust safety management process would have prevented these other incidents. PBF, for its part, has repeatedly said concerns from local groups against MHF were unwarranted. The agency's board members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. "I just appreciate that I'm here. 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 CSBs report concludes that the unit was operating without proper procedures.. The fire was reported to the South Coast Air Quality Management District and California Office of Emergency Services, police said. April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM / KCAL News. Visit our website, www.csb.gov. Gen. Xavier Becerras office investigate how the Torrance and Wilmington refineries are able to legally operate using hydrofluoric acid. Feb . Organizers estimated the crowd size at more than 400. "Our main concern is for the safety of our employees and our neighbors.". 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. 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. 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. The Torrance refinery, however, also contributes significantly to the citys economy. All the while, officials at those facilities have defended the chemicals use as safe. 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. 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. 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. "I have second thoughts about being out here right now," said resident Anthony Scales. Inside the refinery, the explosion blew off parts of an electrostatic precipitator and damaged other equipment at the plant. It was unclear what caused the fire. 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 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. / KCAL News. Had we known then what we know now, Cliff Heise said, we wouldve run, not walked home.. Valero, owner of the Wilmington refinery, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. They claim nothing has been done, she added, without any proof, other than their beliefs, which are incorrect and misleading.. 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. Manhattan Beach, CA crime, fire and public safety news and events, police & fire department updates Three dozen firefighters knocked down the blaze within a half-hour. The Torrance Refinery Action Alliance plans on Tuesday to deliver a letter from its science advisory panel to Newsoms office urging him to request that Atty. 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. 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. For instance, the CSB found that during work leading up to the incident, workers violated corporate lock out tag out requirements. They heard a loud explosion, kind of like a sonic boom, said Jason Davis, who lives near the complex. 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. Across California, CA | News | 15h. 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. explosion also launched an 80,000-pound piece of equipment, failure to follow safety guidelines was partly to blame for the blast. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. By then, the husband said, theyd been living in the city long enough to know exactly what the sound was. TORRANCE (CBSLA) Firefighters say four people have been injured in a reported explosion at an apartment complex in Torrance. in journalism from the University of Southern California. ExxonMobil said in a statement early Wednesday afternoon that "no harmful emissions have been detected.". And it directs L.A. County to support any new legislation that would help phase out MHF. The shaking was felt primarily in the immediate vicinity of the refinery, according to Caltech. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Anza Avenue had been closed for a few hoursas emergency personnel responded. Since the February 2015 explosion, the refinery has experienced multiple incidents. 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. Officials were investigating the cause of the over-pressurization. No further details were immediately available. Two others sustained minor injuries. The machines are responsible for reducing ammonia and particulate emissions in a plant to comply with environmental regulations. The improvements, though, also came after sustained pressure from the community and watchdog agencies. Three were treated and released. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. Investigators were trying to determine the cause of the blast, which occurred shortly before 9 a.m. PST . 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. in communication and M.S. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. PBF Energy, which now owns the Torrance Refining Co. refinery, denied that an explosion occurred. Other than the affected crude unit, the refinery continues to operate, Brien said. 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.. But in the years since the 2015 explosion, residents have continued decrying MHF. For a while, though, flames shot 40 feet into the air. Community members who may have been impacted by the explosion can call the ExxonMobil claims hotline at 844-631-2539. Fill out the form below for a free case review with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers. 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. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. If you're interested in joining our team, you can apply for a position here. Refineries are not supposed to have explosions. 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.. 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. PBF also reached a separate agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to upgrade an additional water monitor in 2020, according to Lafayette. At the center of that debate is the modified part of MHF. 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. 46,739 visits in the last 30 days. There were also questions asking why the emergency refinery sirens did not sound following the accident. 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. 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. 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 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 cause of the explosion was not known. My first reaction was, this doesn't sound good, this doesn't look good. The explosion sent ash raining down on vehicles parked near the sprawling 750-acre site and caused what one worker described as intense shaking. The couple was taking a stroll outside of North High Schools football field on the day of the 2015 explosion. 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. 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. Hahns February motion also asks the AQMDs refinery committee to provide an update on the status of safety improvements listed in the refineries proffers. The explosion sent ash raining down on. Para obtener ms informacin sobre cmo utilizamos tus datos personales, consulta nuestra Poltica de privacidad y Poltica de cookies. 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. The CSB notes that it is vital to ensure that safety critical equipment can successfully carry out its intended function. 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. 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. There have also been multiple safety enhancements to prevent leaks, they say. 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. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. U.S. Chemical Safety Board. 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. 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. 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. 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. In working with inherently dangerous products, it is critical to conduct a robust risk management analysis with the intent of continually safety improvement.. She currently lives in Inglewood. I urge SCAQMD to act with urgency, said the South Bay Democrat. Nosotros, Yahoo, somos parte de la familia de marcas de Yahoo. 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. Four apartments have been damaged, two of which sustained "significant damage.". 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 large turnout surprised even the diverse group of participants unaccustomed to seeing such political activism in a conservative community. Torrance fire Capt. 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? 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.. It provides 362 jobs around $30 million in wages in Torrance, according to its website. Those improvements were completed in 2021 and are now in service, Lafayette said. It appeared it was a gas explosion, but a hazardous materials team was on scene Sunday afternoon working to determine exactly what occurred. That, the report said, would prevent the chemical from dispersing as widely as it would as an aerosol. 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. 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. A reaction between hydrocarbons and catalyst takes place in what is known as the hydrocarbon side of the FCC unit. 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. 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. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news. In February, a large explosion occurred at ExxonMobils refinery in Torrance, California. Some said they heard one of the workers may have turned on the gas inside one of the apartments before it was completely ready. All communications are private and confidential. Those calls for a ban remain. 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. The CSB determined that on the day of the incident a slide valve that acted as a barrier failed. The explosion, which happened . Im absolutely appalled, said Torrance teacher Julie Stoll, referring to the lack of support from Torrance officials. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Kim Baldonado, Patrick Healy, Jason Kandel, and Tena Ezzeddine contributed to this report. 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. 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. 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. The incident caused the refinery to be . 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.. TORRANCE TODAY is a 15-minute live news broadcast airing Monday. 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. 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. Theyre going to pass it on to the consumer.. 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. California Occupational Safety and Health officials were at the site investigating. Thousands of people could have been harmed if the MHF had dispersed beyond the Torrance refinery in 2015, the CSB report said. The explosion filled surrounding neighborhoods with ash, fiberglass, and glass wool. The explosion occurred in the refinerys fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit, where a variety of products, mainly gasoline, are produced.

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