Three of them were taken to a nearby hospital, authorities said, after earlier indicating all four had been transported. 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. The CSB also found that in multiple instances leading up to the incident, the refinery directly violated ExxonMobils corporate safety standards. 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.. 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. Posted Wed, Feb 18, 2015 at 5:20 pm PT. The latest salvo in the battle over MHF came last month, when the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors called for a ban on the highly toxic chemical. TORRANCE (CBSLA) Firefighters say four people have been injured in a reported explosion at an apartment complex in Torrance. However, our staff is working remotely and can assist you via phone or email. 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. Following the explosion, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health shut down the part of the refinery where the accident occurred. 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. There was also minor damage to two adjoining apartments, according to Millea. Cliff and Donna Heise, for example, serve as secretary and treasurer of the TRAA, respectively. Four people were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Torrance Sunday afternoon, officials said. Officials were not aware of their exact conditions, but witnesses said some were seriously hurt. Torrance fire Capt. Its been a few years now, and there has been very little progress.. The governors office confirmed they received the request, but declined further comment. 1750 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 910 | Washington, DC 20006. Organizers estimated the crowd size at more than 400. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. In 2017, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board published a 73-page report on the explosion. It appeared it was a gas explosion, but a hazardous materials team was on scene Sunday afternoon working to determine exactly what occurred. 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. "I just appreciate that I'm here. The LA County Department of Public Health and former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra followed suit. Hire a Houston personal injury lawyer with a proven track record. Fill out the form below for a free case review with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers. There have also been multiple safety enhancements to prevent leaks, they say. 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. Alex Wigglesworth is an environment reporter who covers wildfires for the Los Angeles Times. The machines are responsible for reducing ammonia and particulate emissions in a plant to comply with environmental regulations. 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. 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. 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, 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. 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. Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. 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. The fiercest local opponent of MHF is the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance. Im absolutely appalled, said Torrance teacher Julie Stoll, referring to the lack of support from Torrance officials. Explosion Rocks ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, California. Firefighters found gasoline flowing on the ground as a result of the explosion, Torrance Fire Department Capt. We knew we were moving in next to a refinery it was here before we were, Cliff Heise said in an interview. Visit our website, www.csb.gov. 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. 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. Three dozen firefighters knocked down the blaze within a half-hour. The Torrance refinery, however, also contributes significantly to the citys economy. 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. In February, a large explosion occurred at ExxonMobils refinery in Torrance, California. PBF Energy, which now owns the Torrance Refining Co. refinery, denied that an explosion occurred. Those improvements were completed in 2021 and are now in service, Lafayette said. 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. 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. Kim Baldonado, Patrick Healy, Jason Kandel, and Tena Ezzeddine contributed to this report. Four apartments have been damaged, two of which sustained "significant damage.". Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. In July 2016, the Torrance refinery was sold by ExxonMobil to PBF Holdings Company, LLC, which now operates as the Torrance Refining Company. The motion the LA County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed in mid-February asks Gov. 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. 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. Several residents noticed what they described as a larger-than-usual flame from the plant's towering flare stack. 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. 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. Si quieres personalizar tus opciones, haz clic en Gestionar configuracin de privacidad. PBF, for its part, has repeatedly said concerns from local groups against MHF were unwarranted. 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. Chevron, for example, successfully converted its Salt Lake City refinery from HF to a new alkylation technology last year. "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.". 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.. 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. Three were treated and released. 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. The refineries arent going to eat that cost, William Burke, former chairman of the SCAQMDs governing board said in a previous interview. Investigators were trying to determine the cause of the blast, which occurred shortly before 9 a.m. PST . Congresswoman Maxine Waters and I requested the U.S. Chemical Safety Board to investigate the explosion two years ago, Lieu said in the statement. Theyre going to pass it on to the consumer.. 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.. Living in such close proximity to the refinery, Donna Heise said, makes it hard for the couple to ignore the chemicals potential dangers. 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.. 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.. The CSB notes that it is vital to ensure that safety critical equipment can successfully carry out its intended function. 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. So far though, it doesn't appear as if any serious damage or injuries have occurred, barring reported explosions in Torrance. 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. 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. Manhattan Beach, CA crime, fire and public safety news and events, police & fire department updates The explosion on Feb. 18, 2015, was described by federal regulators as a serious near miss.. Watch: Explosion reported at ExxonMobil refinery in California - CBS News State of the Union CBS News App Ukraine Crisis COVID Pandemic CBS News Live Managing Your Money Essentials Shopping. The 2015 explosion at the Torrance Refinery was bad, but it easily could have been catastrophic, Hahn said in a press release. mostrar anuncios y contenido personalizados basados en perfiles de inters; medir la efectividad de los anuncios y el contenido personalizados, y. desarrollar y mejorar nuestros productos y servicios. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. Some community members do not believe that the company did not enough to respond to the emergency. Homes shook in . explosion also launched an 80,000-pound piece of equipment, failure to follow safety guidelines was partly to blame for the blast. in journalism from the University of Southern California. That update was completed last year as well. 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 touted the move, introduced by Supervisor Janice Hahn and timed to the anniversary, while PBF, in a statement, criticized the county boards vote. The four victims were found suffering varying degrees on injuries. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Before joining the newsroom in 2016, she was a general assignment reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com. Edited by Rachel Barnes. Times staff writer Tony Barboza contributed to this report. Torrance firefighters responded to the 23500 block of Anza Avenue just before 1:20 p.m. Sunday. The shaking was felt primarily in the immediate vicinity of the refinery, according to Caltech. 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. All safety systems at the refinery operated correctly and personnel were safe, police said. (Credit: KTLA) The blast at the refinery, which is located in the 3700 block of West . Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. First published on April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM. For decades, hydrofluoric acid was a standard chemical in oil refining, serving as a catalyst during a process known as alkylation. "You could feel it," said refinery worker Jason Hernandez. 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 . 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. 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? Four people were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Torrance Sunday afternoon, officials said. 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. 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. On Saturday, the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance announced a campaign urging Gov. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Fortunately, the explosion did not release asbestos, but the material released contained fiberglass and glass wool which can cause respiratory issues. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Many in the neighborhood reported being startled by a large blast. 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. U.S. Chemical Safety Board. They heard a loud explosion, kind of like a sonic boom, said Jason Davis, who lives near the complex. 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. California Occupational Safety and Health officials were at the site investigating. 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.. When you think about it, she said, it makes you not want to sleep at night.. 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. More Stories Drone helps. Having affordable fuel that is readily available is a vital part of the California economy.. The refineries are the only two in the state that use the substance. Our Manhattan Beach office is physically closed at this time. 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. MHF opponents have also expressed concerns that the refineries havent done enough to ensure the communities safety. Since the February 2015 explosion, the refinery has experienced multiple incidents. Liz Odendahl, Hahns spokeswoman, said in an interview that the supervisor was furious at the AQMDs decision to accept the refineries proffers. The proposal had plenty of support: Reps. Nanette Barragan, Ted Lieu and Maxine Waters wrote letters urging the AQMD to pass the rule and phase MHF out of Southern California. In September, the South Coast Air Quality Management District governing board voted instead to accept a voluntary oil industry pledge to enhance safety measures. 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.
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