A Liquid Petroleum Gas fire at the Wynnewood Refinery, located in Wynnewood, Oklahoma occurred at 1420 hours central time. The fire is at the hydrofluoric (HF) acid alkalation unit in the facility and within the unit there are 3 cesium 137 low radiation sources.
Local responder issued a 1 mile perimeter evacuation that included adjacent neighborhoods and Highway 77. The all clear was given at 2130 hours once the EPA air monitoring established no release off-site. Adjacent to the HF Unit is a BSNF railway which has been closed until the incident is secure. BSNF officials have joined unified command to provide technical expertise to the railway and additional air monitoring sources. There was 1 individual that was taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion. No other injuries were reported.
Wynnewood Refinery has established mutual aid with Wynnewood Fire Department, Pauls Valley Fire Department, and Valero Refinery in Ardmore. At its height, 45 responders were on-site. Fire fighting water utilized to contain the fire is supplied from Arbuckle Lake through a gravity pulled. At this time, all runoff is currently being contained within the facility in a retention pond.
Earlier this week, OSHA has been conducting an unrelated PSM complaint inspection from union on safety concerns. Due to the incident, OSHA has sent representatives to the scene and will further investigate the cause of the incident. Wynnewood Refinery is a RMP / FRP regulated facility.
The fire is currently in a controlled burn. EPA OSC McCormick arrived and joined unified which included representatives from the local sheriff, state highway patrol, and Wynnewood Refinery QI/IC. START contractors arrived and conducted perimeter monitoring within the adjacent neighborhood and at Highway 77 showed no readings above background. The following sensors were used - hydrofluoric acid/ hydrogen chloride, oxygen, Lower Explosion Limit, hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, hydrogen cyanide, ethylene oxide, nitrogen oxide, ammonia, volatiles and photo ionization and flame ionization detectors.
A static perimeter has been established to protect surfaces and isolate source.
START contractors will conduct 24-hour air monitoring within the adjacent neighborhood and perform further air monitoring for the firefighting response personnel. CTEH will be arriving for air monitoring support associated with BNSF.
There will be continuous on-site and perimeter monitoring taking place with two shifts of START contractors. An 0700 briefing is scheduled to review current response activities and formulate an action plan for determining and isolating the LPG source. Following the determination of the location of the source the LPG line will be closed.
Fire water run-off will be evaluated in the morning.
BNSF rail line will continue to be shut down until the isolation of the LPG source.
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