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. Anza Avenue had been closed for a few hoursas emergency personnel responded. But we had no idea about the danger.. 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. The explosion sent ash raining down on vehicles parked near the sprawling 750-acre site and caused what one worker described as intense shaking. "You could feel it," said refinery worker Jason Hernandez. This is a breaking news story. 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. By then, the husband said, theyd been living in the city long enough to know exactly what the sound was. 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. Para obtener ms informacin sobre cmo utilizamos tus datos personales, consulta nuestra Poltica de privacidad y Poltica de cookies. Cuando utilizas nuestros sitios y aplicaciones, usamos. Liz Odendahl, Hahns spokeswoman, said in an interview that the supervisor was furious at the AQMDs decision to accept the refineries proffers. Three dozen firefighters knocked down the blaze within a half-hour. TORRANCE (CBSLA) Firefighters say four people have been injured in a reported explosion at an apartment complex in Torrance. Finally, the slide valve - a safety-critical safeguard within the system - was degraded significantly. "I just appreciate that I'm here. 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.. 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. Fill out the form below for a free case review with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers. If you're interested in joining our team, you can apply for a position here. Hahn who left the agencys board in December 2019 was one of two votes opposed to accepting the proffers. Refinery Explosion Shakes Earth and Probably Gas Prices Those safety advances, however, have come since the 2015 explosion and a harsh assessment by federal investigators. 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. 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. ExxonMobil's Torrance Refinery Sold Amid Report Of Potential Disaster Puedes cambiar tus opciones en cualquier momento haciendo clic en el enlace Panel de control de privacidad de nuestros sitios y aplicaciones. Congresswoman Maxine Waters and I requested the U.S. Chemical Safety Board to investigate the explosion two years ago, Lieu said in the statement. 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. A five-story processing unit had burst open, spewing industrial ash over a mile away that some mistook for snow and propelling a 40-ton hunk of equipment into the air. Fire crews knocked down the blaze within 30 minutes. 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.. Let's get out of here. The CSB notes that it is vital to ensure that safety critical equipment can successfully carry out its intended function. The Torrance refinery, however, also contributes significantly to the citys economy. The cause of the explosion was not known. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The agency's board members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM / KCAL News. We knew we were moving in next to a refinery it was here before we were, Cliff Heise said in an interview. in journalism from the University of Southern California. TORRANCE TODAY - FEBRUARY 16, 2023 - City of Torrance In July 2016, the Torrance refinery was sold by ExxonMobil to PBF Holdings Company, LLC, which now operates as the Torrance Refining Company. 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.. 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. Explosion Rips Through Torrance Refinery, Shakes South Bay Hutchings holds a B.A. Robert Millea said he couldnt immediately confirm whether an explosion actually occurred, only that one was reported. Several residents noticed what they described as a larger-than-usual flame from the plant's towering flare stack. 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. While the unit where the blast occurred was ordered shut down, the rest of the refinery is still in operation. 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. The cause of the accident was not immediately known, but it was believed to be caused by over pressurization in the plants electrostatic precipitators. The explosion, which happened . The explosion was mostly contained to two of the buildings units, with each sustaining significant damage. 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. 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. The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory for any areas where residents can see or smell smoke. 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.. 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. 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. Other than the affected crude unit, the refinery continues to operate, Brien said. All Rights Reserved. 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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 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 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. 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. At the center of that debate is the modified part of MHF. Tammy Khan, of the Torrance Unified School District, said the shetler-in-place order was lifted early Wednesday afternoon. 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. Torrance fire Capt. For a while, though, flames shot 40 feet into the air. 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. "Our main concern is for the safety of our employees and our neighbors.". All rights reserved. There were also questions asking why the emergency refinery sirens did not sound following the accident. 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.. Authorities said the incident happened around 6 a.m. and 36 firefighters responded to the refinery. But in the years since the 2015 explosion, residents have continued decrying MHF. 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. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news. Environmentalists and activists, though, argue that the additives levels in MHF have significantly decreased since the modified versions creation. "I was having my cup of coffee and all of the sudden the whole house shook, the windows vibrated," said Torrance resident John White. People, Donna Heise said, are becoming more aware if nothing else over the last seven years.. Cliff and Donna Heise, for example, serve as secretary and treasurer of the TRAA, respectively. All communications are private and confidential. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. ExxonMobil Refinery Explosion Injures Two, Rains Ash Upon - Patch A blast was reported at the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance, California. 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. 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. Local battle over toxic chemical at Torrance, Wilmington refineries 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. Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. 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. But at least for now, environmentalists and the refineries remain entrenched in their positions. The explosion on Feb. 18, 2015, was described by federal regulators as a serious near miss.. Posted Wed, Feb 18, 2015 at 5:20 pm PT. 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 motion the LA County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed in mid-February asks Gov. All communications are private and confidential. The CSB determined that on the day of the incident a slide valve that acted as a barrier failed. 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. More Stories Drone helps. Hire a Houston personal injury lawyer with a proven track record. California Occupational Safety and Health officials were at the site investigating. 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. 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. Fire erupts at Torrance refinery just hours before protest rally 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. Gen. Xavier Becerras office investigate how the Torrance and Wilmington refineries are able to legally operate using hydrofluoric acid. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. The ExxonMobil Explosion That Nobody Is Talking About As a result, unraveling the debates complexities remains challenging. (Credit: KTLA) The blast at the refinery, which is located in the 3700 block of West . Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. 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. And Torrance receives about $7.5 million annually in utility user taxes from the refinerys operation. Another fire? April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM Three of them were taken to a nearby hospital, authorities said, after earlier indicating all four had been transported. 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. Those calls for a ban remain. Eight workers were decontaminated at the scene. TORRANCE TODAY - FEBRUARY 16, 2023 - City of Torrance TorranceCitiCABLE 4.15K subscribers 113 views 1 day ago #184 1. Fortunately, the explosion did not release asbestos, but the material released contained fiberglass and glass wool which can cause respiratory issues. Im absolutely appalled, said Torrance teacher Julie Stoll, referring to the lack of support from Torrance officials. In 2017, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board published a 73-page report on the explosion. 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. 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. U.S. Chemical Safety Board. PBF also reached a separate agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to upgrade an additional water monitor in 2020, according to Lafayette. If that was the case, we wouldnt have seen another explosion today, she added. Please enter valid email address to continue. That, the report said, would prevent the chemical from dispersing as widely as it would as an aerosol. 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. Homes shook in . The cause of the explosion is under investigation. 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. 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. Officials were not aware of their exact conditions, but witnesses said some were seriously hurt. The shaking was felt primarily in the immediate vicinity of the refinery, according to Caltech. Explosion at Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, California, injures four Flares from the stack, part of a safety relief valve system, are part of normal operations that occasionally produce a rumbling sound, like distant thunder, caused by turbulent mixing of vapors. 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. Alex Wigglesworth is an environment reporter who covers wildfires for the Los Angeles Times. ExxonMobil Refinery Explosion Injures Two, Rains Ash For more than seven years, members of small, local activist groups have been irresponsibly making claims against the Refinerys use of MHF, without any basis in fact, Lafayette wrote recently. So far though, it doesn't appear as if any serious damage or injuries have occurred, barring reported explosions in Torrance. 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. Get up to speed with our Essential California newsletter, sent six days a week. Our Manhattan Beach office is physically closed at this time. Electrostatic precipitators are large machines that stand12 stories high and weigh more than 1,000 tons. Inside the refinery, the explosion blew off parts of an electrostatic precipitator and damaged other equipment at the plant. 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 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. Activists marking Torrance refinery explosion anniversary call for Principal Office: Houston Texas. 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. 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. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. The Torrance Fire Department responded to an explosion at the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery on Feb. 18, 2015. Residents reported shaking normally associated with earthquakes throughout the South Bay area. MHF opponents have also expressed concerns that the refineries havent done enough to ensure the communities safety. 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. ExxonMobil said in a statement early Wednesday afternoon that "no harmful emissions have been detected.". 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. Its been a few years now, and there has been very little progress.. No injuries were reported and there were no evacuations. A smoke advisory was issued for areas near the ExxonMobil refinery due to Wednesday morning's explosion and fire. CSB Releases Final Report into 2015 Explosion at ExxonMobil Refinery in God may not warn us again.. Feb . Deuel told The Associated Press the flare system was triggered to burn off fuel that could add to the fire. Caltech officials said the explosion created ground shaking that was equivalent to a magnitude-1.7 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. 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. 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. The machines are responsible for reducing ammonia and particulate emissions in a plant to comply with environmental regulations. 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.. All safety systems at the refinery operated correctly and personnel were safe, police said. 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. Living in such close proximity to the refinery, Donna Heise said, makes it hard for the couple to ignore the chemicals potential dangers. California workplace regulators fined ExxonMobil more than $500 million for the violations related to the explosion. Numerous nearby residents complained about the air quality following the blast. Having affordable fuel that is readily available is a vital part of the California economy.. Hahns February motion also asks the AQMDs refinery committee to provide an update on the status of safety improvements listed in the refineries proffers. CSB investigations look into all aspects of chemical accidents, including physical causes such as equipment failure as well as inadequacies in regulations, industry standards, and safety management systems. The respective responses were predictable: For years, both sides of this battle have zealously defended their positions. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.