Crude-Oil Fire Doused at Wilmington Refinery
A broken pump at the Union Oil refinery in Wilmington spewed crude oil that caught fire in a blaze that burned for nearly an hour before firefighters were able to douse the flames early Wednesday, authorities said.
About 50 city firefighters from 14 companies fought the blaze alongside the refinery’s fire brigade, Fire Department spokesman Jim Wells said. The blaze at the refinery at 1660 W. Anaheim St. was reported at 6:01 a.m.
Refinery officials shut down the line leading to the broken pump, which had spewed about 1,000 barrels of oil, Wells said. The fire was finally doused at 6:47 a.m. No structures were involved in the blaze and a damage estimate was not immediately available. No injuries were reported. Investigators had not determined what set the spilled crude oil on fire, Wells said.
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