By Ben Winslow and Jacob Hancock
Deseret Morning News (Salt Lake City)
WOODS CROSS, Utah — Firefighters began a “blitz” approach late Monday in an attempt to suffocate a blaze that erupted at the Silver Eagle Refinery here following a 5:30 p.m. explosion that seriously injured four refinery workers.
Crews began pumping foam into vents on the 42,000-gallon gasoline tank about 9:30 p.m. in an effort to snuff out the fire burning inside by eliminating its oxygen source, said South Davis Metro Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Bassett. If successful, the blaze could be out by about midnight.
Bassett said that would effectively end the need for any evacuation of the surrounding homes as the threat to three nearby smaller tanks would be eliminated.
Police ended the mandatory evacuation order for neighborhoods in a half-mile radius surrounding the refinery about 8:30 p.m. but urged residents to stay away voluntarily.
“It is a voluntary evacuation at this time, but we strongly suggest you stay (at the evacuation center),” Woods Cross Police Sgt. Ekolu Delos Santos told about 100 evacuees gathered at the Woods Cross High gymnasium.
Police assured those at the gym that neighborhoods were being heavily patrolled in their absence.
Flames were seen shooting up into the sky above one of the 42,000-gallon gasoline tanks shortly after the explosion at the refinery at 2355 S. 1100 West, as fire crews from several nearby cities poured water on it. Firefighters early on said they were able to keep the fire from spreading, but were worried about the seams of the tank and if oxygen should seep in.
“We have the tank surrounded,” Bassett said at that time. “We have a large amount of water on it and we’re holding it right there. There’s no degradation and we don’t see tank failure happening.”
Four men, ages 30 to 50, at the refinery were injured when the explosion occurred, authorities said, being pulled to safety by co-workers. Two were flown by medical helicopter and the other two were taken by ambulance.
“We have treated four patients on scene,” Bassett told the Deseret News. “They have now been transported to the burn unit at University Hospital.”
The injuries were described as burns to the faces, necks, arms and hands of the workers. One also suffered lung damage from inhaling the searing heat.
Hospital spokesman Chris Nelson said one man was listed in critical condition, two were serious and one was in fair condition. Their names were not immediately released.
A Red Cross spokeswoman said shortly after the mandatory evacuation order was lifted that its volunteers would remain on scene to provide those fighting the fire with food, water and other assistance as needed. She said they expected to be working through the night.
A half-mile radius surrounding the refinery was evacuated with police going door-to-door telling residents east of the refinery to leave. Residents along 800 West between 2100 South and 2600 South were ordered to leave their homes, Bassett said.
Jason and Jana Pace were told to evacuate with their children. They packed up their SUV with car seats, their dog and a blanket headed toward the evacuation center at Woods Cross High School.
“We don’t think it will be very bad. We expect to be back home in about an hour or so,” Jason Pace said at the time.
But authorities expected the fire to burn well into the night.
The Paces’ 7-year-old daughter, Madeline, appeared nervous as they left their neighborhood. “I’m scared,” she said, “because fire is scary.”
Dean Erickson, 52, has lived near the refinery for years. He watched the fire for about 30 minutes before police knocked on his door and told his family to leave.
Erickson said he has seen fires at nearby refineries before, but this is the first time he has ever been evacuated.
“We finished up dinner real quick, had to have that, and grabbed some clothes and then left,” he said.
Bassett said residents will be evacuated “though the night.”
The Utah Transit Authority also halted its commuter rail service, which passes right by the Silver Eagle Refinery. UTA set up a bus bridge transporting commuters between the Salt Lake City Central station and Woods Cross, authority spokeswoman Carrie Bohnsack-Ware said.
This is not the first fire at the Silver Eagle refinery. In 2007, a fire sent a heavy plume of black smoke into the air. In that blaze, authorities shut off a fuel supply valve and let the blaze burn itself out.
Bassett said firefighters in the area receive specialized training in College Station, Texas, to learn how to battle a refinery fire. The refineries themselves pay for the training, he said.
Copyright 2009 The Deseret News Publishing Co.