Known Safety Violation - San Antonio Refinery Fire

Wednesday morning, just a couple of hours after the Redstone Arsenal in Alabama exploded, a San Antonio refinery fire sent a plume of black smoke to the air. When it was being loaded with fuel, an 18 wheeler truck exploded which began the San Antonio refinery fire. The San Antonio refinery set off a series of chain-reaction explosions at the refinery that lasted 45 minutes or a lot more.

The San Antonio refinery is nevertheless burning

At the San Antonio refinery fire today there were more than 100 firefighters and emergency responders. Everyone who lives within a half mile of the explosion was evacuated. The private cash lenders and other financiers of AGE Refining, Inc., are set to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars. Up to 40 miles away the smoke can nevertheless be seen. Given the San Antonio refinery fire is fuel-based, it will likely burn very hot and for a very long time.

18 wheeler starts San Antonio refinery explosion

The San Antonio refinery explosion was began by an 18-wheeler truck. The truck was being pumped with fuel on a loading dock when it exploded. This set off a chain response of explosions within the refinery and started a fire that is expected to burn for several days. Hazmat crews and firefighters were working to shut off the valves that were nevertheless pumping fuel following the fire began.

Before San Antonio refinery explosion, OSHA violations given

Before the San Antonio refinery fire this morning, AGE Refining, Inc., had been cited several times for safety violations. In 2007, the San Antonio refinery was fined for 13 “serious violations”. Those violations remain “current” as outlined by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. AGE refining provides jet fuel and diesel to many customers such as the US air force, as the only refinery in San Antonio.

Watch reports on the San Antonio refinery fire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm3-rA9Hl9k&feature=player_embedded

Resources for the article

NPR News

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/05/texas_refinery_catches_fire_af.html

My San Antonio

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/Fire_burning_on_South_Side.html?showFullArticle=y

Kens5.com

http://www.kens5.com/news/local/Reports-of-92876584.html

The Associated Press

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jYkAyfTB-gAvN27Vp6Uy-96rPlcgD9FGS8TG2