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 alkylation unit in the facility and within the unit there are 3 cesium 137 low radiation sources.
Local responders 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 neighborhoods. All monitoring on and off site indicates air contaminant levels to be at background.
At 2234 hours, on 13 May 2006, PRP personnel and contractors introduced quick-setting concrete into the ruptured LPG pipe, upstream of the rupture, but downstream of the nearest flange point. The aforementioned line is believed to be the main source of fuel for the fire. At 2333 hours, after allowing the concrete to settle, the line was purged and the LPG was diverted to a flare.
Vapors from the LPG line remain on fire, fueled by downstream product.
In addition, runoff water was neutralized and reused for the purpose of firefighting and cooling. Firefighters had been utilizing the facilities fireline reservoir. This was done in an effort to reduce the amount of runoff generated at the site and to preserve the facilities fireline reservoir.
PRP personnel expect to close a flexible blind (located on the LPG line) on the morning of 14 May 2006.
The accumulator tank associated with the alkylation unit remains with contents and continues to fuel the fire.
Address fire water collection/reuse
Address other small fires still burning in the unit
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