LAFD Responds to Fire at ConocoPhillips Refinery in Wilmington

WILMINGTON - An on-site leak of hydrogen at the ConocoPhillips Refinery in Wilmington, California ignited a stubborn non-injury fire on Sunday that was brought under control by the refinery's industrial fire brigade without need for evacuation.

The October 9, 2011 event was reported at 9:48 AM by several passersby - including Los Angeles Firefighters, who noted a non-typical plume of smoke from within the 424-acre Wilmington portion of ConocoPhillips Los Angeles Refinery at 1660 West Anaheim Street in Wilmington, nineteen miles south of downtown Los Angeles.

A precautionary response by the Los Angeles Fire Department brought more than 80 LAFD personnel to the scene, including LAFD Hazardous Materials experts, who supported the refinery fire brigade in their skillful handling of the pressurized leak and control of the flames, which involved refinery equipment "the size of a tractor trailer", according to LAFD Battalion Chief Chris Logan.

The overall impact of the leak and fire upon refinery production was not determined by Fire Department responders, who referred such inquiries to ConocoPhillips media relations.

Pursuant of protocol, a formal incident investigation was commenced by the Los Angeles County Health Hazardous Materials Division and South Coast Air Quality Management District officials.

Dispatched Units: E285 T85 E85 E49 E36 E248 T48 BC6 E9 E438 SQ48 RA848 RA38 T48 E248 E11 T11 E211 RA11 RA811 E9 T85 E285 E36 BC13 E266 T66 E112 RA85 EM6 DC2

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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