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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 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. 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. Watch: Explosion reported at ExxonMobil refinery in California My first reaction was, this doesn't sound good, this doesn't look good. The explosion filled surrounding neighborhoods with ash, fiberglass, and glass wool. Torrance News - ABC7 Los Angeles 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. Edited by Rachel Barnes. 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. 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. 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. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Congresswoman Maxine Waters and I requested the U.S. Chemical Safety Board to investigate the explosion two years ago, Lieu said in the statement. 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. proporcionarte nuestros sitios y aplicaciones; autenticar usuarios, aplicar medidas de seguridad y evitar el spam y los abusos, y. medir el uso que haces de nuestros sitios y aplicaciones. 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. Across California, CA | News | 15h. For a breakdown of the fees and expenses associated with the verdicts and settlements listed on our site, please visit our Results page. The CSB notes that it is vital to ensure that safety critical equipment can successfully carry out its intended function. The Torrance Fire Department responded to an explosion at the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery on Feb. 18, 2015. Valero, owner of the Wilmington refinery, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. If that was the case, we wouldnt have seen another explosion today, she added. Eight workers were decontaminated at the scene. 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. Workers were seen boarded up the windows of the affected apartments later Sunday afternoon. Those calls for a ban remain. By then, the husband said, theyd been living in the city long enough to know exactly what the sound was. Steve Deuel said. 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. "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. Those safety advances, however, have come since the 2015 explosion and a harsh assessment by federal investigators. Explosion at Torrance refinery - Los Angeles Times PBF, for its part, has repeatedly said concerns from local groups against MHF were unwarranted. Torrance fire Capt. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Finally, the slide valve - a safety-critical safeguard within the system - was degraded significantly. in communication and M.S. Manhattan Beach Crime & Safety News | Manhattan Beach, CA Patch A Philadelphia native, she graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in medical anthropology and global health. 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. 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. 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 ExxonMobil near-disaster you probably haven't heard of 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. Torrance Refinery cited for failing to properly maintain equipment 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. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. They claim nothing has been done, she added, without any proof, other than their beliefs, which are incorrect and misleading.. 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. 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. The refineries are required to provide quarterly updates to the agency.. 'Large fire explosion' rocks ExxonMobil's Torrance Refinery in 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. 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. 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. 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 explosion sent ash raining down on. 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 TODAY - FEBRUARY 16, 2023 - City of Torrance TorranceCitiCABLE 4.15K subscribers 113 views 1 day ago #184 1. Officials were investigating the cause of the over-pressurization. Si quieres personalizar tus opciones, haz clic en Gestionar configuracin de privacidad. ExxonMobil Refinery Explosion Injures Two, Rains Ash 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 was so severe that it caused residents in the area to experience a shock similar to the effects of a 1.7 magnitude earthquake. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. That update was completed last year as well. Three dozen firefighters knocked down the blaze within a half-hour. 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.. Explosion, fire at ExxonMobil refinery rocks Torrance "You could feel it," said refinery worker Jason Hernandez. 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.. 1750 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 910 | Washington, DC 20006. 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. The CSB also found that in multiple instances leading up to the incident, the refinery directly violated ExxonMobils corporate safety standards. 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). Please enter valid email address to continue. 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. Para obtener ms informacin sobre cmo utilizamos tus datos personales, consulta nuestra Poltica de privacidad y Poltica de cookies. Feb . 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 cause of the explosion is under investigation. The couple was taking a stroll outside of North High Schools football field on the day of the 2015 explosion. 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.. But at the time, theyd never heard of MHF and didnt think much of it. Another fire? 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. A reaction between hydrocarbons and catalyst takes place in what is known as the hydrocarbon side of the FCC unit. 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.. Economic factors, such as job creation and the regional and global importance of oil, further complicate the issue, at least for elected officials. 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. 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. 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. They have lived in a neighborhood directly adjacent to the Torrance refinery for 48 years. There was no sign of an announced safety rally at the refinery PBF had planned to hold for workers as a counterpoint to the demonstration so they could reflect upon the (2015) incident.. 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. Fill Out the Form Below for a Free Case Review with our Undefeated Personal Injury Lawyers. Explosion at Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, California, injures four 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. PBF also reached a separate agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to upgrade an additional water monitor in 2020, according to Lafayette. The explosion filled surrounding neighborhoods with ash, fiberglass, and glass wool. Our Manhattan Beach office is physically closed at this time. Four people were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Torrance Sunday afternoon, officials said. Four contractors at the plant suffered injuries and required medical treatment and eight workers had to be decontaminated. Torrance firefighters . No further details were immediately available. 4 Injured in Possible Gas Explosion at Torrance Apartment - KTLA But at least for now, environmentalists and the refineries remain entrenched in their positions. 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 rights reserved. 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. Passing motorists supplied supportive honks. 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.. Torrance firefighters responded to the 23500 block of Anza Avenue just before 1:20 p.m. Sunday. "I have second thoughts about being out here right now," said resident Anthony Scales. 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. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. God may not warn us again.. Fire crews knocked down the blaze within 30 minutes. Anza Avenue had been closed for a few hoursas emergency personnel responded. However, our staff is working remotely and can assist you via phone or email. Tests have shown that MHF, which Torrance has used since 1997, rapidly expands upon release and can travel at lethal concentrations up to two miles, according to a presentation from AQMD staff. 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. Other than the affected crude unit, the refinery continues to operate, Brien said. Theyre going to pass it on to the consumer.. 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 explosion was mostly contained to two of the buildings units, with each sustaining significant damage. She currently lives in Inglewood. Community members who may have been impacted by the explosion can call the ExxonMobil claims hotline at 844-631-2539. 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. 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. They heard a loud explosion, kind of like a sonic boom, said Jason Davis, who lives near the complex. 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. Chevron, for example, successfully converted its Salt Lake City refinery from HF to a new alkylation technology last year. 6 Min Read. U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu said in a statement Saturday that he plans to ask the U.S. Chemical Safety Board to include Saturdays incident as part of an ongoing investigation into the problems at the trouble-plagued refinery that began two years ago. The shaking was felt primarily in the immediate vicinity of the refinery, according to Caltech. No injuries were reported, and the fire did not impact anything offsite. The fire was reported to the South Coast Air Quality Management District and California Office of Emergency Services, police said. Cuando utilizas nuestros sitios y aplicaciones, usamos. 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. 2022 Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers. Redondo Beach News, Breaking News in Redondo Beach, CA CSB Releases Final Report into 2015 Explosion at ExxonMobil Refinery in The explosion occurred in the refinerys fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit, where a variety of products, mainly gasoline, are produced. "I just appreciate that I'm here. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The decision by the board came one week after the two refineries sent letters offering to install improved safety systems in the coming years if regulators ended their pursuit of new rules for the chemical. All safety systems at the refinery operated correctly and personnel were safe, police said. 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. 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. Three dozen firefighters knocked down the blaze within a half-hour. 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.
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