United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region VI
POLLUTION REPORT



Date:
Friday, April 27, 2007
From:
Chris Ruhl


Subject: 

Polrep #2
Wynnewood Refinery Tank Fire
P.O. Box 305, Wynnewood, OK
Latitude: 34.6347000
Longitude: -97.1686000


POLREP No.:
2
Site #:
Reporting Period:
D.O. #:
Start Date:
4/27/2007
Response Authority:
CERCLA
Mob Date:
4/27/2007
Response Type:
Emergency
Demob Date:
 
NPL Status:
Non NPL
Completion Date:
 
Incident Category:
Removal Action
CERCLIS ID #:
Contract #
RCRIS ID #:
 

Site Description

At approximately 11:35AM on April 27, 2007, lightning initiated a fire at the Wynnewood Refinery.  The refinery is located at 906 South Powell, Wynnewood, OK. Tank 138 containing approximately 50,000 barrels of naphtha was ignited.  No evacuations or shelter-in-place were issued, and no injuries reported.  Highway 77 has been closed do to the incident.  The refinery process was not interrupted and continues to operate normally.  


Current Activities

At approximately 7PM, the exterior and floating roofs failed and allowed oxygen into the tank.  This allowed the entire top surface of the tank to engulf into flames.  Current man power, equipment, and supplies were unable to extinguish the tank.  As a result, the tank was left to burn while William Fire Service personnel and equipment mobilized to scene and setup.  Two additional local fire departments mobilized to the site.  Until William's is ready, fire fighting crews focus on cooling of surrounding tanks to prevent further spread of the fire.  The amount of fire and smoke has significantly increased from previous polrep.  The plume is going vertical before going into a northerly direction.  Very little smoke is at ground level.  EPA START has been dispatched and is on the way to provide air monitoring support.  There remains no shelter-in-place or evacuations.  Hwy 77 remains closed.  A creek that runs adjacent to the tank and drains into Washita River has been temporary damned off to prevent a catastrophic release of naphtha or fire fighting water from entering the river.


Next Steps

START to conduct air monitoring.

Once additional fire fighting crews, equipment, and supplies have been mobilized the RP will attempt to extinguish fire.


response.epa.gov/wynnewoodrefinery