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 water-line. 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 a 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 continues to burn but remains under control. EPA representatives continue to monitor air quality on site as well as in adjacent nieghborhoods. Air monitoring indicated readings as high as 3 parts per million (ppm) Hydrogen Fluoride in the air directly downwind within a 50 foot perimeter of the fire. All other monitoring on and off site indicates air contaminant levels to be at background.
Planned night activities will include the introduction of quick-set concrete into the ruptured LPG pipe upstream of the rupture but downstream of the nearest flange point. Line is believed to be main source of fuel for fire. If line blockage and subsequent flameout is successful, blinding of upstream flange will begin the following morning.
Water for firefighting will be recirculated for reuse. Sodium bicarbonate will be added to the water to neutralize runoff.
Determining the location of the source and deactivating the LPG line.
Reuse of water for firefighting due to potential lack of reserve tank supply from water source in Lake Arbuckle.
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