Fire Reported at Ponca City Refinery

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Fire Reported at Ponca City Refinery

Fri, 01/03/2020 - 23:39
Posted in:
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By KRISTI HAYES

and MIKE SEALS

 

At approximately 4 p.m. Thursday, the Ponca City Refinery experienced a fire in a process unit, shutting down surrounding roadways, including US Highway 60.
Response teams were immediately dispatched and eventually brought the fire under control.
In his latest update, Scott Wallace, HRBP manager, released the following: “At approximately 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 2nd, the Ponca City Refinery experienced a fire in a process unit. Our response teams responded immediately and the fire was extinguished at approximately 8 p.m.”
“There were no impacts to personnel or the community, however; in an abundance of caution, Phillips 66 Ponca City Refinery personnel were dispatched off-site to monitor air quality. All data indicates that there has been no off-site impact.”
“The refinery continues to operate with the exception of the affected area. The cause of the fire is under investigation.”
In a previous statement, Wallace said that ‘flaring’ may temporarily increase. “Flares are important safety devices used in refineries and petrochemical companies. Excess hydrocarbon gases are burned in the flaring system in an environmentally-sound manner as an alternative to releasing vapor directly into the atmosphere,” said Wallace.
“The safety of the community, the environment and the people is of the utmost importance to our company and these priorities will guide efforts as we work to resolve the problem.”
The Ponca City Police Department dispatched patrol units to assist the Oklahoma Highway Patrol in traffic control. The Ponca City Fire Department was not asked for assistance, but had units on stand-by in the event assistance was needed.
The Ponca City News reached out to Alliance Health to determine in anyone had come to the hospital seeking treatment because of the incident but had received no response by deadline.
On July 16, 2019, seven adolescents were treated and released at the AllianceHealth Ponca City emergency room after being exposed to a chemical accidentally released into the atmosphere by the Phillips 66 Refinery.
The affected juveniles were playing at the Splash Pads at Dan Moran Park directly north of the refinery.
A unit upset occurred at the refinery, resulting in a brief release of catalyst which is used in the refining process. The individuals sought medical attention and were treated and released.

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