On April 27th 2018, the Husky Energy oil refinery caught fire after a massive explosion. People who witnessed this event claimed to see large fireballs emitting from the building. For years, one of the most dangerous professions on Earth has been working in oil refineries. These places of business are generally filled with tons of harmful chemicals and fire hazards. Read below to find out what you need to know about this explosion in Superior, WI.
The Timeline of the Fire
Image Source : ctvnews.ca
On Thursday, the initial fire in the Husky Energy facility was reported around 7 p.m. at night. The mayor of Superior, Jim Paine, informed residents that they could rest easy because a number of firefighters were on the scene to put out the blaze.
Later, he told residents of this Wisconsin town that the blaze had been put out and lifted the mandatory evacuation order he put in place at 6 a.m. on Friday morning. All day Friday, Duluth-area firefighters remained at the scene of the blaze to monitor it. They mainly were looking for any hot materials that may cause the fire to reignite.
A Number of Explosions were Reported
Most experts familiar with this fire claim that the first explosion came at around 10 a.m. on Thursday morning. The second explosion was heard around 12:30 p.m. on the same day and a series of smaller explosions occurred in the hours following. Each of the explosions reported caused fires to start, which later got much worse.
What Caused This Blast?
The main question most people want answered is what could have caused such a terrible accident to occur? The authorities questioned about the origins of this fire claim it was started by a tank of crude oil or asphalt that ignited during a routine plant shutdown. While questions still persist about the subsequent explosions heard in the afternoon, the fact remains that this disaster could have been much worse.
The Extent of the Injuries Caused By This Accident is Unknown
Image Source : i.cbc.ca
Luckily, there have been no deaths attributed to this accident, but a number of injuries have been reported. At last count, nearly 20 workers were injured because of the explosion and subsequent fires.
In instances like this, a Husky refinery explosion lawyer will help the injured parties get compensation for their injuries. Typically, injuries in accidents like this can be long-term, which is why having a lawyer’s help is essential.
At least one person is said to have potentially fatal injuries as a result of this explosion. As of Friday, the other 19 injured were said to be in stable condition and on the mend.
Precautions are Being Taken to Ensure the People of Superior are Safe
In the aftermath of these explosions, the US Environmental Protection Agency began monitoring the air around the town. They found that the air quality in the area was unchanged and no harmful pollutants were found.
The evacuations that were instituted during the beginning stages of this incident covered a three mile area around the refinery. One thing is for sure, after this incident, the people who live in Superior, WI will be keeping a close eye on what is going on at Husky Energy.
In 2015, this same refinery was fined $21,000 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. This fine was levied against the refinery due to flammable liquid violations and emergency response issues.
Article Submitted By Community Writer