An explosion and “second-alarm fire” occurred at the Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, Calif. this morning at approximately 9:00 a.m. local time, causing visible damage to the infrastructure of the facility.
There is no word yet on injuries or the extent of the damage.
Photos from the scene:
Looks like damage caused by the explosion at the Torrance Exxon Refinery. #Torrance pic.twitter.com/dY1flY8d2e
— Jennifer Thang (@jenniferthang) February 18, 2015
Police: Explosion reported at ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance, CA.; refinery: emergency procedures activated – @ABC7 pic.twitter.com/64OfUXncVP
— ABC News (@ABC) February 18, 2015
NewsChopper4 shows ash-covered vehicles after explosion at #Torrance refinery http://t.co/eswOMBhM9x pic.twitter.com/o3eGpcitSJ
— NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) February 18, 2015
Aerial video shows damage to #Torrance refinery http://t.co/3irJnVZLxe pic.twitter.com/Hi1nUqopjh
— NBC Los Angeles (@NBCLA) February 18, 2015
MORE: Aerial footage from @KTLA shows damage from explosion at @exxonmobil refinery in #Torrance pic.twitter.com/ouU35CbaPN
— L.A. Times: L.A. Now (@LANow) February 18, 2015
#Breaking:Damage to #ExxonMobil refinery #Torrance after #explosion. Schools sheltering.Fire:stay inside bc of debris pic.twitter.com/wpuOqj8Px7
— Tena Ezzeddine (@TenaNYCLA) February 18, 2015
LIVE coverage right now on the massive explosion at the Torrance Refinery. @NBCLA pic.twitter.com/mgaJQHw9pK
— Holly Hannula (@HollyNBCLA) February 18, 2015
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The refinery’s “flare system,” which allows for the “petroleum product” to be burned off in case of an emergency or other “unplanned” interruption, has been activated sending plumes of flame high into the air:
The scene at the #ExxonMobil refinery in #Torrance. More to come. https://t.co/Y7xxhuCg3t
— Ruben Vives (@LATvives) February 18, 2015
BREAKING: Reports of explosion at Torrance Exxon refinery. Flare system being used. Torrance FD on scene. pic.twitter.com/aXuuBV3MDF
— Jennifer Thang (@jenniferthang) February 18, 2015
#BREAKING: Explosion reported from Exxon Mobil Refinery in Torrance; flare system activated http://t.co/DSSQXX80KF pic.twitter.com/C3k7GwXMe2
— KTLA (@KTLA) February 18, 2015
#BREAKING: Possible incident at #Exxon Mobile Refinery in #Torrance. http://t.co/V0eeQuZg8i pic.twitter.com/Js109rJx5o
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) February 18, 2015
Schools near the refinery were locked down with students told to “shelter in place,” while local residents are sharing photos of ash from the explosion and fire raining down over the area:
Despite concerns about white ash falling, #Torrance police say no air quality issues after "large fire explosion" at #ExxonMobil. @knx1070
— Ed Mertz (@edmertz_news) February 18, 2015
It really looks like a volcano blew up right in the middle of #Torrance. Ash and destruction EVERYWHERE.
— Akemi Mokoto ?? (@UnAmericanOtaku) February 18, 2015
Weird ash like substance falling in Torrance! What's up?? pic.twitter.com/UjVcvDnhEA
— ? 8645 ? (@PVReiki) February 18, 2015
My cousin said its raining an ash-like substance #torrance. Local prob?or same thing that happened in WA?@JimCantore pic.twitter.com/JWcIdc2ZEy
— Dana Workman (@DanaWorkman) February 18, 2015
Ash goggles #Torrance #Refinery #Fire @exxonmobil @KNX1070 @KNXRandyKerdoon pic.twitter.com/UFLaFvsVCr
— Mark Cole (@iammarkcole) February 18, 2015
We’ll update this post as new information comes in.
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