| A Message to the Community -- April 3, 2002 Tank Fire
On Wednesday, April 3, Shell Deer Park Refining Company experienced a fire at an
out-of-service crude oil storage tank. The tank was being cleaned when the fire
began at about 3 p.m. It was extinguished at 8 p.m.
Fortunately, there were no injuries. However, the black smoke and prevailing
wind direction did present a potential visibility hazard to motorists on Highway
225. As a precautionary measure, the Harris County Sheriff’s Department
temporarily closed the highway from the Beltway 8 bridge to Center Street in
Deer Park, and the cities of Deer Park and Pasadena advised residents in
affected areas of their communities to “shelter in place” until the smoke
subsided.
Air monitoring readings taken downwind from the tank during the fire, extending
several miles south and west into Deer Park and Pasadena, did not detect any
materials that posed a health concern, according to Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) standards.
We have responded to a number of questions from the community regarding why it
took five hours to extinguish the tank fire. This fire was particularly
difficult to extinguish because the tank’s internal roof restricted access to
the oil sludge, resulting in the fire burning throughout the afternoon and early
evening.
Shell sincerely regrets any concern and inconvenience the tank fire caused to
the community. Shell, OSHA and the tank-cleaning contractor are conducting a
thorough investigation of the incident. We will determine what caused the fire
and take the necessary steps to help prevent a similar recurrence.
I appreciate your patience and understanding. Being your good neighbor is very
important to Shell.
Sincerely,
Stacy P. Methvin
President & CEO
Shell Deer Park Refining Company
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