There’s been a massive explosion at a Marathon refinery in southwest Detroit, according to local sources.
Melvindale residents east of Dix are being asked to evacuate due to Marathon Oil explosion/fire, stay safe and spread the word.
— Ian Striz (@strizian) April 27, 2013
BREAKING PHOTO: Smoke plume after explosion at refinery in Detroit. Witnesses "felt explosions from two blocks away." pic.twitter.com/sXG3mNjjYc
— NewsBreaker (@NewsBreaker) April 27, 2013
Melvindale PD redirecting traffic near Marathon explosion. One witness says it blew "top right off" storage tanker. pic.twitter.com/Im5n1D8hJN
— Andy Choi (@dudeitsandychoi) April 27, 2013
Winds now slightly changing, fumes are fairly apparent.
— Andy Choi (@dudeitsandychoi) April 27, 2013
Winds pushing much of that black smoke east. Careful if you're east of Fort and Shaffer.
— Andy Choi (@dudeitsandychoi) April 27, 2013
Foam tanker now entering facility to help battle the fire. pic.twitter.com/xED5wLmviN
— Andy Choi (@dudeitsandychoi) April 27, 2013
DFD Haz Mat says tanker held diesel fuel. They have two trucks in, streaming water and foam. More teams on standby. pic.twitter.com/6NPpssbzEs
— Andy Choi (@dudeitsandychoi) April 27, 2013
… DFD tells us no injuries to report at this time.
— Andy Choi (@dudeitsandychoi) April 27, 2013
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Call to Melvindale PD: "Don't know much yet."
— Andy Choi (@dudeitsandychoi) April 27, 2013
City of Melvindale is ordering a partial evacuation of the city due to the refinery fire. Concerned about air quality from fire.
— Andy Choi (@dudeitsandychoi) April 27, 2013
Marathon tanker on fire SW Detroit @wxyzdetroit https://t.co/cZA1iED0Ku
— David E. Rudolph (@DEricsonPR) April 27, 2013
Authorities on scene don’t know much yet, but it’s never too early to politicize an explosion. How could Gov. Rick Perry let this happen?
Now there are reports of an explosion at a refinery in Detroit. No need for regulations? No, not at all. The bosses don't suffer the burns
— Rattlecans (@rattlecans) April 27, 2013
https://twitter.com/Better_Red/status/328292083779653632
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Update: WXYZ-TV reporter Andy Choi says that the smoke has cleared out and residents have been given the all-clear to return to their homes.
Melvindale PD say an ALL CLEAR has been issued regarding the refinery fire evacuation. Residents may now return to their homes.
— Andy Choi (@dudeitsandychoi) April 28, 2013
Our press conference turned into a phoner with an out of state Marathon spokesperson. Not a lot of info. More on chronology of event.
— Andy Choi (@dudeitsandychoi) April 28, 2013
Officials say no workers injured in Marathon Refinery explosion.
— Chauncy Glover (@ChauncyOnTV) April 28, 2013
https://twitter.com/paigekf_23/status/328270194973761536
https://twitter.com/paigekf_23/status/328270454156566529
https://twitter.com/paigekf_23/status/328286974001704961
UPDATE: Fire at Marathon refinery in southwest Detroit put outhttp://t.co/wK2eJiLzsK
— The Detroit News (@detroitnews) April 28, 2013
Twitchy will update this post as details emerge.