A billowing fire and series of explosions at a South Philadelphia oil-refining complex, the largest on the Eastern Seaboard, shook homes as far away as southern New Jersey Friday morning.
The blaze started in a vat, which exploded and prompted other explosions as the flames engulfed fuel pipes at Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) refinery, officials said.
Four people suffered minor injuries, and all employees were treated on site, according to a statement from PES.
The fire was reported at 4:05 a.m., and by about 9 a.m. had been contained but was not yet under control, according to a statement from PES. City and PES crews were also working to cool surrounding tanks to keep the fire from spreading.
“PES is following protocol to protect the environment, its employees, and the surrounding community to bring the incident to a safe conclusion, and minimize any impacts from the event,” which included three explosions, the statement said.
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The cause of the fire was under investigation, but officials believe mostly propane was burning.
Residents east of the refinery complex were asked to shelter in place for about three hours, and roadways in the area remained closed as the morning rush hour began so that crews could respond.
The Philadelphia Department of Health said preliminary air samples came back with no signs of ambient carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons or hydrogen sulfides, and further tests would be done to assure the air was safe.
Some South Philadelphia residents said art came flying off their walls, according to NBC Philadelphia.
People miles away could see the blaze, and those close to it said debris clouded the early morning sky.
The complex is made up of two refineries, Girard Point and Point Breeze, and processes 14 million gallons of crude oil a day. The fire started at Girard Point.
On June 10, a small fire was ignited at the complex, but no one was injured, according to NBC Philadelphia. The complex also had a fire in 2015.
Protests followed the fire earlier this month, as environmentalists and area residents raised concerns about the facility’s safety.
“It is unacceptable that Philadelphia residents had to wake up in the middle of the night fearing for their lives from the explosion at PES,” said a statement from Philly Thrive, a community organization of residents who live near the plant and has been protesting against it since 2015.
“Do you know how scared I was this morning to be shaken out of my sleep by the explosion?” Sonya Sanders, a member of the organization, said in the statement. “I do everything I can to close my windows and keep this pollution out of my house. But when these fires happen it shows there really is nothing we can do to protect ourselves.”
“We have the right to breathe clean air and we need to hold the refinery accountable for what they’re putting out into the community,” said another organization member, Sylvia Bennett.
The refinery was operating at a reduced rate Friday, according to PES.
