CSB Chairperson Vanessa Allen Sutherland said, This explosion and near miss should not have happened, and likely would not have happened, had a more robust process safety management system been in place. Paige Austin, Patch Staff. Explosion Rips Through Torrance Refinery, Shakes South Bay The additive does this by ensuring the chemical used as a liquid during refining doesnt turn into a gas. Some community members do not believe that the company did not enough to respond to the emergency. Hire a Houston personal injury lawyer with a proven track record. Nosotros, Yahoo, somos parte de la familia de marcas de Yahoo. Four people were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Torrance Sunday afternoon, officials said. Posted Wed, Feb 18, 2015 at 5:20 pm PT. 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. The explosion also launched an 80,000-pound piece of equipment within feet of a structure that housed a highly volatile and toxic substance, modified hydrofluoric acid. 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. Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers is a Houston Personal Injury Law Firm that represents accident victims across Texas, Louisiana and the United States. 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. 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. "Our main concern is for the safety of our employees and our neighbors.". The PBF Energy facility has been plagued with a series of incidents since the massive blast two years ago that almost caused a catastrophic release of highly toxic hydrofluoric acid that could have killed and injured thousands. 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 CSB also found that in multiple instances leading up to the incident, the refinery directly violated ExxonMobils corporate safety standards. That, the report said, would prevent the chemical from dispersing as widely as it would as an aerosol. With the capacity to refine more than 150,000 barrels of gasoline a day, the . 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. "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. 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. Explosion Rocks ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, California. For instance, the CSB found that during work leading up to the incident, workers violated corporate lock out tag out requirements. 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. 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. 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. 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. In working with inherently dangerous products, it is critical to conduct a robust risk management analysis with the intent of continually safety improvement.. 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. Another fire? 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. Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Those improvements were completed in 2021 and are now in service, Lafayette said. Economic factors, such as job creation and the regional and global importance of oil, further complicate the issue, at least for elected officials. The CSB determined that on the day of the incident a slide valve that acted as a barrier failed. California Occupational Safety and Health officials were at the site investigating. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bontas offices to take all possible actions to require refineries in California to convert from MHF to safer alternatives.. In September, the South Coast Air Quality Management District governing board voted instead to accept a voluntary oil industry pledge to enhance safety measures. Fire, explosion reported at Torrance Refinery, police say The rule would have required a gradual phase-out of MHF usage at both refineries, requiring an alternative catalyst, such as sulfuric acid. 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. explosion also launched an 80,000-pound piece of equipment, failure to follow safety guidelines was partly to blame for the blast. 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. A smoke advisory was issued for areas near the ExxonMobil refinery due to Wednesday morning's explosion and fire. 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. "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.". U.S. Chemical Safety Board. The Torrance refinery, however, also contributes significantly to the citys economy. 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. Investigators are still looking into the cause of the explosion, wh. 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. Hahn who left the agencys board in December 2019 was one of two votes opposed to accepting the proffers. 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. 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. The refineries are the only two in the state that use the substance. The explosion was mostly contained to two of the buildings units, with each sustaining significant damage. 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 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. ExxonMobil's Torrance Refinery Sold Amid Report Of Potential Disaster Manhattan Beach Crime & Safety News | Manhattan Beach, CA Patch It was unclear what caused the fire. TORRANCE (CBSLA) Firefighters say four people have been injured in a reported explosion at an apartment complex in Torrance. Torrance Refinery cited for failing to properly maintain equipment 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. A blast was reported at the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance, California. 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. 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.. 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. 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. My first reaction was, this doesn't sound good, this doesn't look good. Deuel told The Associated Press the flare system was triggered to burn off fuel that could add to the fire. 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. In February, a large explosion occurred at ExxonMobils refinery in Torrance, California. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news. Before joining the newsroom in 2016, she was a general assignment reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com. Local battle over toxic chemical at Torrance, Wilmington refineries Activists marking Torrance refinery explosion anniversary call for 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. 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. Torrance ExxonMobil Refinery Rocked by Large Explosion - KTLA 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.. 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. Tammy Khan, of the Torrance Unified School District, said the shetler-in-place order was lifted early Wednesday afternoon. 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. 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. Principal Office: Houston Texas. Liz Odendahl, Hahns spokeswoman, said in an interview that the supervisor was furious at the AQMDs decision to accept the refineries proffers. in journalism from the University of Southern California. 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. I urge SCAQMD to act with urgency, said the South Bay Democrat. 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. An ExxonMobil refinery explosion in Torrance injured two, caused a 1.7 magnitude shake and portends pain at the pumps. PBF, for its part, has repeatedly said concerns from local groups against MHF were unwarranted. Three dozen firefighters knocked down the blaze within a half-hour. One person remained hospitalized with a knee injury. The CSB notes that it is vital to ensure that safety critical equipment can successfully carry out its intended function. Si quieres personalizar tus opciones, haz clic en Gestionar configuracin de privacidad. 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. Caltech officials said the explosion created ground shaking that was equivalent to a magnitude-1.7 earthquake. 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. 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. For a breakdown of the fees and expenses associated with the verdicts and settlements listed on our site, please visit our Results page. Explosion at Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, California, injures four Copyright 2023 KABC Television, LLC. 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.. Following the explosion, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health shut down the part of the refinery where the accident occurred. But we had no idea about the danger.. In July 2016, the Torrance refinery was sold by ExxonMobil to PBF Holdings Company, LLC, which now operates as the Torrance Refining Company. 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. Manhattan Beach, CA crime, fire and public safety news and events, police & fire department updates Having affordable fuel that is readily available is a vital part of the California economy.. First thing I thought was to call my wife, my kids, and let them know I'm safe.". Several residents noticed what they described as a larger-than-usual flame from the plant's towering flare stack. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Passing motorists supplied supportive honks. ExxonMobil Refinery Explosion Injures Two, Rains Ash Upon - Patch All rights reserved. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. Final CSB Report of Explosion at ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, CA California workplace regulators fined ExxonMobil more than $500 million for the violations related to the explosion. 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. Explosion at Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, California, injures four 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 CSB is an independent, non-regulatory federal agency charged with investigating serious chemical incidents. The motion also instructs county departments to review existing health and safety measures related to MHF including emergency precautions in case of an accidental leak. Residents touted the move, introduced by Supervisor Janice Hahn and timed to the anniversary, while PBF, in a statement, criticized the county boards vote. 4 Injured In Reported Explosion At Torrance Apartment Complex The improvements, though, also came after sustained pressure from the community and watchdog agencies. The governors office confirmed they received the request, but declined further comment. Firefighters found gasoline flowing on the ground as a result of the explosion, Torrance Fire Department Capt. TORRANCE (CBSLA) Firefighters say four people have been injured in a reported explosion at an apartment complex in Torrance. 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. Other than the affected crude unit, the refinery continues to operate, Brien said. The fire was reported to the South Coast Air Quality Management District and California Office of Emergency Services, police said. The motion the LA County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed in mid-February asks Gov. Had the tank ruptured, it would have caused a release of MHF, which is highly toxic. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. 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.. They claim nothing has been done, she added, without any proof, other than their beliefs, which are incorrect and misleading.. 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. Fortunately, the explosion did not release asbestos, but the material released contained fiberglass and glass wool which can cause respiratory issues. "I have second thoughts about being out here right now," said resident Anthony Scales. For a while, though, flames shot 40 feet into the air. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. 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 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. As a result, unraveling the debates complexities remains challenging. PBF also reached a separate agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to upgrade an additional water monitor in 2020, according to Lafayette. 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 Torrance Fire Department responded to an explosion at the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery on Feb. 18, 2015. 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. Finally, the slide valve - a safety-critical safeguard within the system - was degraded significantly. Thousands of people could have been harmed if the MHF had dispersed beyond the Torrance refinery in 2015, the CSB report said. Local battle over toxic chemical at Torrance, Wilmington refineries 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.. Four people were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Torrance Sunday afternoon, officials said. Four apartments have been damaged, two of which sustained "significant damage.". 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 LA County Department of Public Health and former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra followed suit. The explosion on Feb. 18, 2015, was described by federal regulators as a serious near miss.. The four victims were found suffering varying degrees on injuries. Watch: Explosion reported at ExxonMobil refinery in California 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Eight workers were decontaminated at the scene. 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. Torrance firefighters responded to the 23500 block of Anza Avenue just before 1:20 p.m. Sunday. Authorities said the incident happened around 6 a.m. and 36 firefighters responded to the refinery. Officials were investigating the cause of the over-pressurization. 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. She currently lives in Inglewood. 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. Para obtener ms informacin sobre cmo utilizamos tus datos personales, consulta nuestra Poltica de privacidad y Poltica de cookies. 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.. If you're interested in joining our team, you can apply for a position here. 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. CSB Releases Final Report into 2015 Explosion at ExxonMobil Refinery in Anza Avenue had been closed for a few hoursas emergency personnel responded. The CSBs report concludes that the unit was operating without proper procedures., MHF was the subject of a thorough technology review by a court-appointed Safety Advisor with input from the City of Torrance, Gesuina Lafayette, PBFs community relations advisor said in a recent email. 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. They heard a loud explosion, kind of like a sonic boom, said Jason Davis, who lives near the complex. All communications are private and confidential. Zehl & Associates is always looking for smart, hardworking and talented personal injury attorneys and staff to join our team. Weekend clouds make way for sunshine by midweek, CA awaits key decisions from reparations task force, LAPD looking for autistic man last seen in downtown, Ducks assistant coach diagnosed with melanoma, Best athletic wear for kids joining baseball and, How to watch all the Oscar-nominated movies in style, Best smart home devices for older users, according, LAPD searching for driver in fatal San Pedro hit-and-run, 1 killed amid turbulence event on business jet, Grizzlies Morant to miss Clippers, Lakers games, Festival of Whales returns to Dana Point Harbor, AlienCon attracting space enthusiasts to Pasadena, Folks near Jack Daniels facility see whiskey fungus, Suspect arrested in overnight DTLA stabbing, Commission blasts former sheriff on alleged deputy, House where JonBent Ramsey was found dead up for, 3 arrested for nearly $1 million in stolen student, Carjacking suspect shot in wild chase in L.A. 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. 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. No injuries were reported, and the fire did not impact anything offsite. And then the people who were right by just felt a shake, like an earthquake.. 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. Explosion Rocks ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, California - NBC News 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. Torrance school officials confirmed that staff and students sheltered in place due to possible air quality issues. Fire crews knocked down the blaze within 30 minutes. 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. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.