“OPERATIONAL
ISSUE” AND/OR FIRE AT SOUTH PHILLY REFINERY CAUSES BLACK SMOKE TO RISE AND
HEAVY FLARING
Sunday, Jan 11, 2015 • Updated at 12:03 AM EST
An operational issue caused black smoke to rise from a
refinery in South Philadelphia.
Heavy clouds of black smoke that was seen by residents
throughout the city rose from the Philadelphia Energy Solutions at 3144 West
Passyunk Avenue Saturday afternoon.
Fire officials initially told NBC10 a scheduled burn-off
was taking place at the refinery. They later reported however that firefighters
were responding to a fire.
A spokesperson for Philadelphia Energy Solutions told
NBC10 "operational issues" at the refinery caused heavy flaring
and heavy smoke conditions.
All personnel at the refinery are safe and there are no
reported injuries, according to the spokesperson.
Officials have not yet revealed the source of the
problem.