Yesterday’s incident at the Delaware City Refinery was not an explosion, according to Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Robert Fox.
In his initial report released yesterday, Fox said Investigators determined that during maintenance of equipment there was a minor explosion that caused the injuries to the workers.
In an update to his report released today, Fox said: “Further investigation revealed that what was originally described as an Explosion was actually a release of heated product under pressure.”
The plant suffered no damage and no downtime of equipment as a result of the incident, added Fox.
Original Report
Just before 11:30 this morning New Castle County Paramedics, Delaware City, and Christiana Fire Companies were dispatched to the 4000 block of Wrangle Hill Road for multiple burn patients, according to Paramedic First Class Yvonne Russell.
Upon arrival, New Castle County Paramedics found three patients. The first patient, a 39-year-old man, suffered burns to his face and arms. He was treated on scene and transported to Christiana Hospital via Christiana Fire Company ambulance accompanied by New Castle County Paramedics. The patient was in critical condition at the time of transport.
The second patient, a 36-year-old man, suffered burns to his face and neck. The patient was treated on scene and transported to Christiana Hospital via Delaware City Fire Company ambulance accompanied by New Castle County Paramedics. The patient was in serious condition at the time of transport.
The third patient, a 22-year-old man, suffered burns to his feet. The patient was treated on scene and transported to Christiana Hospital via Delaware City Fire Company ambulance accompanied by emergency medical technicians. The patient was in stable condition at the time of transport.
Early reports indicate that members of the Delaware City Refinery Fire Brigade alerted dispatchers that three ambulance crews would be needed at the main gate of the of the refinery. They also reported that all three patients had been decontaminated on scene.