FERNDALE, Wash. — First responders were dispatched to the Phillips 66 Ferndale Refinery at Unick Road and Lake Terrell Road today, December 27th, at 1:15pm due to a report of a structure fire.
According to radio transmissions between responding units and dispatch, a double-wide manufactured building used by contractors was on fire. It was reported that no other structures were exposed to the fire.
Whatcom County Fire District 7 Division Chief Justin Iverson told Whatcom News a heating unit attached to the outside of a trailer appeared to have suffered a wiring problem and caught fire. A single engine and crew put the fire out as it only spread a little onto the roof from the heating unit.
Phillips 66 Spokesperson Tim Johnson told Whatcom News there were no injuries and no impact to refinery operations resulting from the incident.
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Click for more informationJohnson also addressed concerns voiced on social media about visible flaring in the past 24 hours.
The Refinery experienced weather-related, operational issues which resulted in visible flaring in the past 24 hours. There are no injuries and all personnel are safe.
Refinery safety systems functioned as designed, and all appropriate regulatory notifications have been made.
Flares are important safety devices used in refineries and petrochemical facilities. They safely burn excess hydrocarbon gases which cannot be recovered or recycled. The safety of our workers, the community, and the environment are of the utmost importance and these priorities will guide our efforts as we investigate the cause of the flaring.Tim Johnson, Phillips 66 Spokesperson (December 27, 2021)
Wow! Have to say how impressed I am at the in-time, relevant reporting. Great job!
Thank you for your kind words.