Boiler Explodes at Refinery

One of two main steam boilers at a Carson refinery exploded Wednesday morning, but no one was injured, officials said.

After the explosion, about 50 firefighters, including hazardous-material and urban search and rescue teams, swarmed the Conoco Phillips plant at 1520 E. Sepulveda Blvd. about 6:25 a.m., said Capt. Mark Savage of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

“Firefighters in the area heard the thing let go,” Savage said, “and they knew something had happened.”

The three-story boiler, which provides steam to the refinery, apparently faltered, scattering insulation and other debris throughout the area, he said.

A plant spokesman said no one was working near the boiler at the time.

Savage said there was significant damage, but that “there was never any leak of any product whatsoever.” Company officials said it was too soon to give a dollar estimate on damage.

Conoco Phillips staff members were working with firefighters to determine why the boiler failed and were restoring steam operations in the plant, said spokesman Jeff Callender.