Unplanned Flaring Event At Torrance Refinery

REDONDO BEACH, CA – An unplanned visible flaring event at the Torrance Refining Company refinery prompted Torrance firefighters to respond, authorities said Monday.

Fire officials reported on Twitter about 8 p.m. Sunday that the flaring event was "due to a unit upset."

No off-site impact was anticipated, fire officials said.

The flaring event ended just before midnight, fire officials said.

A heavy black cloud can be visible during flaring, which safely burns excess hydrocarbon gases by mixing them with steam and/or air to produce water vapor and carbon dioxide, according to online information at exxonmobil.com.

City News Service contributed to this post; Image via Patch