WeatherFanatics: Explosion Rocks California Refinery

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Explosion Rocks California Refinery

By Michael Kuhne, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

February 18,2015; 10:13PM,EST

An explosion rocked an Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, California, Wednesday, injuring two and forcing ash to rain from the sky, according to the Associated Press.
The blast occurred at a processing facility and was most likely caused by gasoline, Fire Department spokesman Steve Deuel told KCBS-TV.
Fire and smoke were seen blasting from the facility's smokestack around the time of the explosion. According to Associated Press, the facility's flare system was triggered to burn off fuel that could add to the fire, Deuel said.
The people injured were not hospitalized, and the refinery sent workers home for the day, the Associated Press reported. Fire crews spent more than two hours dousing the blaze.

Fire spews from a stack at the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance, Calif., Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015, after an explosion in a gasoline processing unit. (AP Photo/Tami Abdollah)
"Exxon Mobil spokesman Todd Spitler said the cause of the explosion was under investigation and company officials were working with local agencies," according to the report.
Winds were light in the area at the time and will continue to blow around 5 to 10 mph through the night, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Dave Samuhel said, adding that the only concern for first responders and residents would be low clouds that will prevent the smoke from rising high.
"At this time, there is no need to shelter in place," The City of Torrance Fire Department said in a Facebook statement. "More information will be provided as it becomes available. More information will be provided as it becomes available."