Flarings Seen at ExxonMobil Refinery During Power Outage

TORRANCE, CA - A power outage caused two flaring situations at the Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance on Wednesday night.

The flaring began about 6:15 p.m., with a second flaring starting later, Torrance Fire Department Capt. Bob Millea told City News Service.

Both flarings were continuing as of 10:30 p.m.

"The flarings are a safety mechanism that are burning off the excess hydrocarbons," Millea said. "We're not asking our citizens to do anything right now, but we have closed off Crenshaw Boulevard at the intersection of Crenshaw and 190th Street."

It is not known when the flarings will end or Crenshaw Boulevard will be re-opened.

The refinery may have exceeded the reportable quantity of 500 pounds of sulfur dioxide by the action, according Millea.

John Bailey, president of the Southeast Torrance Homeowners Association, said he could see the flare and dark smoke from his home, about two miles south of the refinery.

— City News Service, Photo Credit: Twitter userOccupy Wall Street ‏@OccupyWallStNYC