Residents touted the move, introduced by Supervisor Janice Hahn and timed to the anniversary, while PBF, in a statement, criticized the county boards vote. TORRANCE TODAY is a 15-minute live news broadcast airing Monday. But in the years since the 2015 explosion, residents have continued decrying MHF. 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. 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. The LA County Department of Public Health and former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra followed suit. The Board does not issue citations or fines but does make safety recommendations to plants, industry organizations, labor groups, and regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a smoke advisory for any areas where residents can see or smell smoke. The fire was reported to the South Coast Air Quality Management District and California Office of Emergency Services, police said. California workplace regulators fined ExxonMobil more than $500 million for the violations related to the explosion. Fire crews knocked down the blaze within 30 minutes. Investigators were trying to determine the cause of the blast, which occurred shortly before 9 a.m. PST . The explosion sent ash raining down on vehicles parked near the sprawling 750-acre site and caused what one worker described as intense shaking. 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. Investigators are trying to determine what caused the explosion at a Torrance oil refinery that sent four workers to the hospital. Posted Wed, Feb 18, 2015 at 5:20 pm PT. Workers were seen boarded up the windows of the affected apartments later Sunday afternoon. With the capacity to refine more than 150,000 barrels of gasoline a day, the . Several residents noticed what they described as a larger-than-usual flame from the plant's towering flare stack. 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. That, the report said, would prevent the chemical from dispersing as widely as it would as an aerosol. Refineries are not supposed to have explosions. 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. Inside the refinery, the explosion blew off parts of an electrostatic precipitator and damaged other equipment at the plant. The machines are responsible for reducing ammonia and particulate emissions in a plant to comply with environmental regulations. 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 Supervisor knew the proffers were toothless, Odendahl said. But at least for now, environmentalists and the refineries remain entrenched in their positions. Anza Avenue had been closed for a few hoursas emergency personnel responded. I wish the Torrance City Council had the courage to say that.. 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. We need to ban MHF as soon as possible. They have lived in a neighborhood directly adjacent to the Torrance refinery for 48 years. explosion also launched an 80,000-pound piece of equipment, failure to follow safety guidelines was partly to blame for the blast. April 8, 2018 / 2:50 PM / KCAL News. 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. Firefighters found gasoline flowing on the ground as a result of the explosion, Torrance Fire Department Capt. in communication and M.S. Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers is a Houston Personal Injury Law Firm that represents accident victims across Texas, Louisiana and the United States. 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. At the center of that debate is the modified part of MHF. 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. 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. But at the time, theyd never heard of MHF and didnt think much of it. While the unit where the blast occurred was ordered shut down, the rest of the refinery is still in operation. Torrance firefighters responded to the 23500 block of Anza Avenue just before 1:20 p.m. Sunday. If that was the case, we wouldnt have seen another explosion today, she added. The motion the LA County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed in mid-February asks Gov. "I just appreciate that I'm here. Feb . 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. Two others sustained minor injuries. Manhattan Beach, CA crime, fire and public safety news and events, police & fire department updates It provides 362 jobs around $30 million in wages in Torrance, according to its website. In February, a large explosion occurred at ExxonMobil's refinery in Torrance, California. Were also the only law firm in the country thats currently representing over 65 of the workers who were injured in the Williams Geismar explosion, as well as 3 of the 4 workers who were tragically killed in the October 2015 Williams explosion in Gibson, Louisiana. 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. Tammy Khan, of the Torrance Unified School District, said the shetler-in-place order was lifted early Wednesday afternoon. The rule would have required a gradual phase-out of MHF usage at both refineries, requiring an alternative catalyst, such as sulfuric acid. Three dozen firefighters knocked down the blaze within a half-hour. 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Hahns February motion also asks the AQMDs refinery committee to provide an update on the status of safety improvements listed in the refineries proffers. Thousands of people could have been harmed if the MHF had dispersed beyond the Torrance refinery in 2015, the CSB report said. Si no quieres que nosotros ni nuestros socios utilicemos cookies y datos personales para estos propsitos adicionales, haz clic en Rechazar todo. The CSB is an independent, non-regulatory federal agency charged with investigating serious chemical incidents. Times staff writer Tony Barboza contributed to this report. Congresswoman Maxine Waters and I requested the U.S. Chemical Safety Board to investigate the explosion two years ago, Lieu said in the statement. Nosotros, Yahoo, somos parte de la familia de marcas de Yahoo. Numerous nearby residents complained about the air quality following the blast. "I have second thoughts about being out here right now," said resident Anthony Scales. 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. Four contractors at the plant suffered injuries and required medical treatment and eight workers had to be decontaminated. 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. Had we known then what we know now, Cliff Heise said, we wouldve run, not walked home.. Other groups including the refinerys unions and local businesses feared the potential economic fallout if the refineries were forced to transition to a safer alternative. Bontas office said it hadnt received a letter from the county. "It was like a loud sonic boom. The explosion, which happened . Three were treated and released. 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. But the proposed ban on MHF is far from the first cost passed onto consumers: 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 billion. 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. This is a breaking news story. ExxonMobil said in a statement early Wednesday afternoon that "no harmful emissions have been detected.". 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 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. 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 refinery has been under constant scrutiny since the explosion as small fires and flare ups have been reported since and raised concern among residents living nearby. The Torrance refinery, however, also contributes significantly to the citys economy. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. They have not yet completed their final investigation, and I will be asking the Chemical Safety Board to include todays fire and explosion as part of their investigation.. More than a day after the accident, no representative from ExxonMobil had directly contacted the Torrance fire chief and city officials still did not know what was in the substances that were released into the surrounding areas. Many in the neighborhood reported being startled by a large blast. However, our staff is working remotely and can assist you via phone or email. 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. Para obtener ms informacin sobre cmo utilizamos tus datos personales, consulta nuestra Poltica de privacidad y Poltica de cookies. 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. 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. Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. 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. TORRANCE TODAY - FEBRUARY 16, 2023 - City of Torrance TorranceCitiCABLE 4.15K subscribers 113 views 1 day ago #184 1. The work of the Safety Auditor was overseen by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge and approved prior to use of MHF at the refinery.. 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. Cliff and Donna Heise, for example, serve as secretary and treasurer of the TRAA, respectively. "I was having my cup of coffee and all of the sudden the whole house shook, the windows vibrated," said Torrance resident John White. For instance, the CSB found that during work leading up to the incident, workers violated corporate lock out tag out requirements. 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. Torrance fire Capt. All rights reserved. There was a "large fire explosion" at the ExxonMobil Torrance Refinery in Southern California on Wednesday morning, according to the Torrance Police Department. Three of them were taken to a nearby hospital, authorities said, after earlier indicating all four had been transported. Four people were injured in an explosion at an apartment building in Torrance Sunday afternoon, officials said. 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. The explosion also spurred a movement among residents to oppose MHF. 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. So far though, it doesn't appear as if any serious damage or injuries have occurred, barring reported explosions in Torrance. 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.. For a while, though, flames shot 40 feet into the air. Four apartments have been damaged, two of which sustained "significant damage.". 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 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. All rights reserved, Los Angeles County Holds Stable COVID-19 Hospitalization Rate, Tax Deadlines Extended to October for Most Californians Due to Storms, Check Your Pockets: These Coins Can Be Worth Up To $24,000, Glendale Neighborhood Frustrated After an Illegal Hostel Moves In, Road Rage Incident Kicks Off Pursuit, Carjacking, and Weapon Fired Out Window in Wild Chase, NASA Images Show Southern California Mountains Before and After Winter Storm. 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. I urge SCAQMD to act with urgency, said the South Bay Democrat. 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. 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. 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. As a result, unraveling the debates complexities remains challenging. Those calls for a ban remain. For decades, hydrofluoric acid was a standard chemical in oil refining, serving as a catalyst during a process known as alkylation. For a while, though, flames shot 40 feet into the air. 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. 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 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. 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. Some said they heard one of the workers may have turned on the gas inside one of the apartments before it was completely ready. 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. Passing motorists supplied supportive honks. All safety systems at the refinery operated correctly and personnel were safe, police said. The refinery relied on safeguards that could not be verified, and re-used a previous procedure deviation without a sufficient hazard analysis of the current process conditions. That update was completed last year as well. Hahn who left the agencys board in December 2019 was one of two votes opposed to accepting the proffers. 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. Authorities said the incident happened around 6 a.m. and 36 firefighters responded to the refinery. 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. Really? read one of the signs carried by chanting marchers who endured a steady downpour to protest the use of toxic hydrofluoric acid at the refinery. 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. Fill out the form below for a free case review with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers. 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 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. For a breakdown of the fees and expenses associated with the verdicts and settlements listed on our site, please visit our Results page. 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.. 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. 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.. The large turnout surprised even the diverse group of participants unaccustomed to seeing such political activism in a conservative community. 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. 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. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. 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