Refinery Fire: Blaze Erupts on New York’s Staten Island

ABCNEWS ^ | Friday, February 21, 2003

[JohnHuang2]

NEW YORK (AP) -- Fire broke out at an oil refinery on the edge of Staten Island, sending black smoke and flames hundreds of feet into the air over New York Harbor.

An explosion was reported at Port Mobile, near the Outerbridge Crossing in the southwestern part of Staten Island, said a spokeswoman for the Staten Island borough office. The fire started at 10:10 a.m., according to a spokeswoman for the New York Fire Department.

"We have a preliminary report that tanker was transferring a product or was being fueled and somehow ignited," Fire Department Chief William Van Wart said.

No injuries were immediately reported.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro were on their way to the scene.

The refinery faced the Arthur Kill waterway and New Jersey, but the smoke and flames could be seen many miles away in midtown Manhattan.

City officials said residents were not in immediate danger.

"At this point, people should not take any special precautions. It's unlikely this could spread to a residential area," Bloomberg said shortly after the fire was reported.

[JohnHuang2]

Friday, February 21, 2003

Quote of the Day by Republic

[chicagolady]

Not another one! We just had a fire 3 days ago at a refinery in Indiana and of course we have been informed our gas prices ARE going UP UP UP!

[Joe Hadenuf]

With fuel going up so fast, they ought to just suspend all taxes. Simple.

[JohnHuang2]

Propane barge explosion -- wire stories.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Staten Island Refinery Burns After Blast
5 minutes ago





NEW YORK - An explosion rocked an oil refinery on the edge of Staten
Island, sending black smoke and flames hundreds of feet into the air.

It wasn't immediately clear what exploded or
whether any of the dozens of oil tanks in the
area were burning.

The explosion, which could be heard several
miles away, occurred at the edge of Port
Mobile, near the Outerbridge Crossing that links
the island to Woodbridge, N.J., in the
southwestern part of Staten Island, said a
spokeswoman for the Staten Island borough
office.

It was reported shortly after 10 a.m., according
to a spokeswoman for the New York Fire
Department. No further information was
immediately available.

[kattracks]

Huge fire at N.Y.C. oil refinery

Blaze might have started on barge at Staten Island complex

MSNBC STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

NEW YORK, Feb. 21 ? A huge fire was burning Friday at an oil refinery on New York?s Staten Island. Intial reports said a barge had caught fire, starting a huge blaze that sent black smoke into the air, making it visible for miles.

FIREBALLS COULD be seen as TV news helicopters aired live images of the fire.
       Chief William Van Ward of the New York Fire Department said it appeared a barge had caught fire as it was refueling.
       Van Ward said no reports of injuries had been received.
       U.S. intelligence officials told NBC News that they have no information linking the explosions to terrorism.
       
       The Associated Press contributed to this report.
       
       This breaking news story will be updated as information becomes available.
       

[ez]

How many refinery incidents will it take for this to be considered "a pattern." One more in my mind...

[templar]

How many refinery incidents will it take for this to be considered "a pattern." One more in my mind...

Oh, it's definitely a pattern. But of what? How old is the average refinery in America and why are so few newer ones being built? Surely it's because of the GREED of big oil. You can only hold things together with bailing wire and prayers for so long. And, remember, a refinery is a dangerous operation.