OREGON, Ohio — The BP Toledo Refinery was safely shut down after fire crews responded to a fire Tuesday evening.
The Oregon Fire Department confirmed crews responded to an incident at the BP refinery in Lucas County at 6:50 p.m. Details revolving the incident are still unknown.
A BP spokesperson said they were working closely with local fire crews on Tuesday while responding to the fire and confirmed there were two people injured.
“The refinery has been safely shut down while the response is underway,” said a BP spokesperson. “Our highest priority remains the safety of our staff, the responders and the public.”
The spokesperson said all other staff were accounted for.
BP recently agreed to sell the refinery to its joint venture partner Cenovus Energy Inc. in August.
In January 2022, an explosion occurred at the refinery after a valve release, according to the Oregon Fire Department. No injuries were reported.
The refinery also had a fire in November 2021, again with no injuries reported.
In 2020, a federal judge approved a settlement requiring BP Products North America Inc. and BP-Husky Refining LLC to pay $2.6 million to the U.S. government and Ohio for alleged violations of clean air laws. Under the settlement, the companies paid a $200,000 penalty to Ohio and had to complete a $1.2 million lead abatement project within 18 miles of the Toledo Refinery.
In 2005, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited BP North American Inc. and BP-Husky Refining LLC’s refinery with 42 alleged willful violations, “including 39 on a per-instance basis, and 20 alleged serious violations for exposing workers to a variety of hazards including failure to provide adequate pressure relief for process units.” The proposed penalties at that time totaled $3,042,000.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
