A massive fire has erupted at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery in Southwest Philadelphia, the oldest continuously operated refinery on the East Coast, shaking nearby homes and sending clouds of thick smoke into the air. An explosion that started the fire could reportedly be heard all the way in South Jersey.
Some residents in Philly told local TV news that the explosions knocked art off their wall, according to NBC 10. The fire, which has been burning since 4 am, was said to be contained as of 6 am.
Roads in the area have been closed to allow first responders space to work and protect drivers. That includes the ramps from Interstate 76 to South Philadelphia. The Platt Bridge reopened just before 6 am.
One passer-by said they were on I-95 when the explosion happened: “Could feel the heat right through the car,” the individual said on social media. Some homeowners who live near the refinery said debris from the blasts rained down on their homes. A cloud of thick black smoke blanketed Center City and South Philly.
In addition to being the oldest, it is also the largest refinery complex on the East Coast. It employs about 1,000 people. Many in the city still call it the Sunoco refinery, though it is now owned by Philadelphia Energy Solutions, a partnership that includes Sunoco.
Analysts said the incident could impact supplies of gasoline and jet fuel: two products that are processed at the refinery.
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via ZeroHedge News http://bit.ly/2Iu2fJi Tyler Durden