Oil Refinery Explosion Injures 20 in Wisconsin

May 1, 2018 — At least 20 people were injured when a tank containing crude oil and asphalt exploded at an oil refinery in Wisconsin.

A series of fires and explosions at the Husky Energy oil refinery forced an evacuation of 27,000 people in the town of Superior, Wisconsin on April 26.

A worker in the building said the explosion sounded like “a sonic boom” and happened when the plant was being shut down for repairs.

Once the fires were extinguished, investigators determined that the initial explosion was in the fluid catalytic cracking unit, which is a part of the distillation process where crude oil is heated to make gasoline.

Experts are now investigating whether any flaws or cracks in the metal tank could have caused the unit to fail.

They are still concerned about air quality and any release of hydrofluoric acid, a strong acid that can cause serious health problems in people who breathe it in the air, according to the CDC.

On May 1, the EPA said it has finished monitoring the air at the site and found no elevated levels of anything toxic.

The refinery dates back to the 1950s. It can process around 50,000 barrels per day and storage up to 3.6 million barrels of crude, asphalt, and oil products from the Canadian tar sands or North Dakota.

Need an Oil Refinery Injury Lawyer in Texas?

Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.

Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas oil refinery injury lawyers for a free lawsuit review.