Anza Avenue had been closed for a few hoursas emergency personnel responded. At the center of that debate is the modified part of MHF. Si no quieres que nosotros ni nuestros socios utilicemos cookies y datos personales para estos propsitos adicionales, haz clic en Rechazar todo. Those improvements were completed in 2021 and are now in service, Lafayette said. 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. The rule would have required a gradual phase-out of MHF usage at both refineries, requiring an alternative catalyst, such as sulfuric acid. However, our staff is working remotely and can assist you via phone or email. 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. Residents reported shaking normally associated with earthquakes throughout the South Bay area. 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. My first reaction was, this doesn't sound good, this doesn't look good. MHF opponents have also expressed concerns that the refineries havent done enough to ensure the communities safety. 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. Alex Wigglesworth is an environment reporter who covers wildfires for the Los Angeles Times. Refinery Explosion Shakes Earth and Probably Gas Prices Having affordable fuel that is readily available is a vital part of the California economy.. In 2017, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board published a 73-page report on the explosion. Para obtener ms informacin sobre cmo utilizamos tus datos personales, consulta nuestra Poltica de privacidad y Poltica de cookies. Watch: Explosion reported at ExxonMobil refinery in California The machines are responsible for reducing ammonia and particulate emissions in a plant to comply with environmental regulations. 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. When you think about it, she said, it makes you not want to sleep at night.. Chairperson Sutherland said, Adoption of and adherence to a robust safety management process would have prevented these other incidents. 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. 4 Injured in Possible Gas Explosion at Torrance Apartment - KTLA Organizers estimated the crowd size at more than 400. 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. 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 governors office confirmed they received the request, but declined further comment. 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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. Explosion at Torrance refinery - Los Angeles Times ExxonMobil was fined more than $500 million for workplace violations related to the blast. Two others sustained minor injuries. 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. (Credit: KTLA) The blast at the refinery, which is located in the 3700 block of West . 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. 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. This is a breaking news story. The additive does this by ensuring the chemical used as a liquid during refining doesnt turn into a gas. 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. All communications are private and confidential. Thousands of people could have been harmed if the MHF had dispersed beyond the Torrance refinery in 2015, the CSB report said. There was also minor damage to two adjoining apartments, according to Millea. He said the blast happened in a processing facility and the material involved was gasoline. Other than the affected crude unit, the refinery continues to operate, Brien 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. 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. 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. PBF also reached a separate agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to upgrade an additional water monitor in 2020, according to Lafayette. Fill out the form below for a free case review with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers. Three were treated and released. 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. The LA County Department of Public Health and former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra followed suit. 4.3 earthquake strikes near LA, Internet asks 'why did it - MEAWW 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. / KCAL News. 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. 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. The Torrance refinery, however, also contributes significantly to the citys economy. Investigators were trying to determine the cause of the blast, which occurred shortly before 9 a.m. PST . There, too, the Torrance refinery has disagreed. The explosion occurred in the refinerys fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit, where a variety of products, mainly gasoline, are produced. 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 . For decades, hydrofluoric acid was a standard chemical in oil refining, serving as a catalyst during a process known as alkylation. Robert Millea said he couldnt immediately confirm whether an explosion actually occurred, only that one was reported. 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. Cliff and Donna Heise, for example, serve as secretary and treasurer of the TRAA, respectively. 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 Refinery on April 22 reported an unplanned flaring event, induced by damaged equipment, that sent an additional 765 pounds of SOx and 143 pounds of volatile organic compounds into the. Fortunately, the explosion did not release asbestos, but the material released contained fiberglass and glass wool which can cause respiratory issues. In working with inherently dangerous products, it is critical to conduct a robust risk management analysis with the intent of continually safety improvement.. Caltech officials said the explosion created ground shaking that was equivalent to a magnitude-1.7 earthquake. Torrance firefighters . Another fire? After protests and intensified public pressure from such activists as the Heises mounted in 2017, the AQMDs Proposed Rule 1410 became a key focus of the agencys Governing Board. Authorities said the incident happened around 6 a.m. and 36 firefighters responded to the refinery. Explosion Rocks ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, California - NBC News Kim Baldonado, Patrick Healy, Jason Kandel, and Tena Ezzeddine contributed to this report. It appeared it was a gas explosion, but a hazardous materials team was on scene Sunday afternoon working to determine exactly what occurred. And Torrance receives about $7.5 million annually in utility user taxes from the refinerys operation. Fire crews knocked down the blaze within 30 minutes. "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.". 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. 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? The explosion on Feb. 18, 2015, was described by federal regulators as a serious near miss.. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Explosion at Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, California, injures four 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 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. 'Large fire explosion' rocks ExxonMobil's Torrance Refinery in In the past 5 years alone, our Plant Explosion Lawyers have Won over $1 Billion for workers who were seriously injured and burned in refinery and industrial accidents, represented workers in connection with every major plant and refinery explosion in recent history, and recovered record-setting verdicts and settlements against the largest oil and gas companies in the world, including ExxonMobil, Williams, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips. We knew we were moving in next to a refinery it was here before we were, Cliff Heise said in an interview. Edited by Rachel Barnes. 2022 Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers. Im absolutely appalled, said Torrance teacher Julie Stoll, referring to the lack of support from Torrance officials. But at least for now, environmentalists and the refineries remain entrenched in their positions. The four victims were found suffering varying degrees on injuries. The explosion, the report said, launched a 40-ton piece of debris that nearly struck tanks carrying tens of thousands of pounds of MHF. Homes shook in . Explosion Rocks ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, California. 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. 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. "It was like a loud sonic boom. Had we known then what we know now, Cliff Heise said, we wouldve run, not walked home.. 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.. Deuel told The Associated Press the flare system was triggered to burn off fuel that could add to the fire. The couple was taking a stroll outside of North High Schools football field on the day of the 2015 explosion. For a while, though, flames shot 40 feet into the air. 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. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Congresswoman Maxine Waters and I requested the U.S. Chemical Safety Board to investigate the explosion two years ago, Lieu said in the statement. California oil refinery blast sends flames shooting into sky 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. 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. 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 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. 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. Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. The explosion sent ash raining down on. Meantime, the Torrance Refining Company hosted a safety rally for employees. Blast Blamed on Gas Buildup - Los Angeles Times 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 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.. Following the explosion, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health shut down the part of the refinery where the accident occurred. Across California, CA | News | 15h. 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 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Finally, the slide valve - a safety-critical safeguard within the system - was degraded significantly. Its been a few years now, and there has been very little progress.. Nosotros, Yahoo, somos parte de la familia de marcas de Yahoo. I wish the Torrance City Council had the courage to say that.. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Principal Office: Houston Texas. The refinery completed those improvements in 2020. Torrance ExxonMobil Refinery Rocked by Large Explosion - KTLA "I was having my cup of coffee and all of the sudden the whole house shook, the windows vibrated," said Torrance resident John White. The cause of the explosion was not known. TORRANCE TODAY - FEBRUARY 16, 2023 - City of Torrance But at the time, theyd never heard of MHF and didnt think much of it. 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. Times staff writer Tony Barboza contributed to this report. California Occupational Safety and Health officials were at the site investigating. 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 AQMD scrapped the potential ban in 2019 instead accepting proffers from both refineries that promised to make safety enhancements to their existing MHF units. More Stories Drone helps. Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers is a Houston Personal Injury Law Firm that represents accident victims across Texas, Louisiana and the United States. God may not warn us again.. By then, the husband said, theyd been living in the city long enough to know exactly what the sound was. Some said they heard one of the workers may have turned on the gas inside one of the apartments before it was completely ready. 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. 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 potential for an even more catastrophic incident and the release of toxic chemicals and fumes into local communities. "Our main concern is for the safety of our employees and our neighbors.". 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. 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. Those calls for a ban remain. 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 journalism from the University of Southern California. 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.. Since the February 2015 explosion, the refinery has experienced multiple incidents. A blast was reported at the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance, California. Visit our website, www.csb.gov. 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. TORRANCE (CBSLA) Firefighters say four people have been injured in a reported explosion at an apartment complex in Torrance. Ryan Zehl is the lawyer responsible for this website. All rights reserved. The CSB determined that on the day of the incident a slide valve that acted as a barrier failed. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news. 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. Just before 9 that morning, pent-up gases at ExxonMobil's Torrance refinery south of Los Angeles had triggered an explosion so massive it registered as a magnitude-1.7 tremor. No injuries were reported and there were no evacuations. The refineries arent going to eat that cost, William Burke, former chairman of the SCAQMDs governing board said in a previous interview. 1750 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 910 | Washington, DC 20006. 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 CSBs report concludes that the unit was operating without proper procedures.. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Hutchings holds a B.A. California fire crews respond to ExxonMobil refinery explosion - CBS News Hahn who left the agencys board in December 2019 was one of two votes opposed to accepting the proffers. For more information, contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen, cell 202-446-8094 or email public@csb.gov. 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. 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.. There were also questions asking why the emergency refinery sirens did not sound following the accident. torrance News Caught on video: Car-to-car shooting on 91 Freeway Video shows a shooting between people in two cars traveling on the freeway in the Long Beach area.