January, 1997
Hindsight | Insight | Foresight
January, 1997
This is a repeating eventJan 21 2020
On January 21, 1997, an explosion and fire occurred at the Hydrocracker Unit of the Tosco Refinery at Martinez, California, resulting in one death, 46 worker injuries and precautionary sheltering-in-place
On January 21, 1997, an explosion and fire occurred at the Hydrocracker Unit of the Tosco Refinery at Martinez, California, resulting in one death, 46 worker injuries and precautionary sheltering-in-place for the surrounding community. The accident involved the release and autoignition of a mixture of flammable hydrocarbons and hydrogen under high temperature and pressure. EPA undertook an investigation into the causes and underlying circumstances associated with this accident because of its serious consequences (fatality, injuries and offsite concern), the potential for greater impacts, and the opportunity to learn from this accident how similar accidents could be prevented
Image Credit: EPA