PHILADELPHIA – Officials with the Philadelphia Fire Department and the Office of Emergency Management are providing the following update regarding the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery fire:
According to PES, as of this afternoon, Saturday, June 22, a very small fire remains on the unit impacted. PES continues to work to isolate the remaining line and PFD emergency responders remain on scene to monitor the area. Managing the small existing fire in this manner is safest for the environment, its employees, and the surrounding community to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.
Personnel from both PFD and OEM continue to provide support to PES from its Incident Command Post near the refinery. The Fire Department’s Hazmat Task Force is conducting air monitoring every 2-3 hours. This monitoring is focused on the perimeter of the refinery and surrounding neighborhoods. As has been the case since Friday morning, the City has no findings that would point to any immediate danger in the surrounding community at this time.
Concerned residents can call the PES Community Information Hotline at 215-339-7300 for updates and the status of the refining complex. PES also set up a number for residents to report damage from the incident: 800-899-1844.
Other agencies participating in the response include the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB), and the Fire Marshal’s Office. Those agencies will begin their formal investigation of the incident Monday morning.