Fire Breaks Out After Explosion At South Philly Oil Refinery

PHILADELPHIA — A huge fire broke out at a South Philadelphia oil refinery early Friday morning after a massive explosion at the facility and as of Friday evening the fire is still burning.

According to officials, part of the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery at 3100 W. Passyunk Ave. exploded at about 4 a.m. Friday.

The explosion led to a major butane fire at the refinery.

Friday afternoon, fire officials gave an update on the situation, saying PES is unable to turn off the valve for a butane-propane mixture pipeline that is still burning due to unsafe conditions.

Officials said the gas mixture is still burning, and that letting it burn would be safer than extinguishing it because without closing the valve, the butane-propane would spread in the area and could ignite, causing another explosion and more fire.

It's unclear how long it will take for PES workers to safely access the valve and how long it may take to let the gas mixture burn off.

Fire officials issued a shelter in place order for about two hours. The fire department said the shelter in place was precautionary due to the smoke plume from the plant.

The city's Health Department said there is no immediate danger in the surrounding community after testing air quality in the area and will test the air again. The EPA the DEP are also working to test the air quality.

Action News reports the explosions were felt in South Jersey and Delaware County.

Part of Interstate 76 and the Platt Bridge were closed as officials responded to the scene.

About 120 Philadelphia firefighters and 50 fire apparatuses responded to the refinery.

The fire department said none of its members were injured in responding to the scene, but one PES employee was complaining of chest pains and four others were treated for minor injuries.

Crews had the fire contained by about 7 a.m. but it is not under control.

It's unclear what caused the explosion.