The 150-year-old refinery complex caught on fire at 4 a.m. on Friday. Philadelphia Fire Department Deputy Fire Commissioner Craig Murphy said it reached three-alarms.
Apparently a vat of butane exploded sparking the fire.
There were no injuries other than an employee complaining of chest pain. He was treated at the scene.
This was the second fire at the refinery in one month. They produce 335,000 barrels of crude oil a day.
Residents were asked to shelter-in-place due to smoke. That was lifted about 7 a.m. after a test determined the air in the area was free of ambient carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons (combustibles), or hydrogen sulfides. Due to amount of fire apparatus and first responders, residents are still asked to avoid the area.
Philadelphia Energy Solutions and Philadelphia Health Department will continue to monitor air quality.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
