SLIDESHOW: See photos from the Nov. 4, 2009, explosion
WOODS CROSS -- Federal investigators have returned to the Silver Eagle Refinery in Woods Cross as part of a follow-up investigation to the Nov. 4 explosion that led to the shut-down of the facility.
On Thursday, a pair of investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board renewed their field work at the refinery and planned to talk with state regulators about the condition of the plant.
The visit comes after refinery officials told the CSB they plan to open a portion of the facility by the end of the month, said CSB Investigations Supervisor Don Holmstrom.
"At this point, we are going to wait and see what has changed, what they have done," said Holmstrom.
The CSB is an independent federal agency that investigates major chemical accidents at industrial sites but does not have regulatory or enforcement responsibilities.
The Utah Occupational Safety and Health Administration also has been part of the follow-up to the accident.
The November explosion rocked the neighborhood surrounding the refinery, damaging homes and forcing families out of their houses.
CSB Investigators left in December after completing an early phase of their look at what happened at the gasoline-producing plant.
"We are a little apprehensive, because of their past record," said Mike Somers, a neighbor who doesn't live too far from Silver Eagle.
"If they want to open it up, open it up," said neighbor Spencer Carlson, who happened to be walking his dog down the street near the facility.
A CSB preliminary report blamed thin pipes for the explosion, which included visible flames and a sound that could be heard and felt for miles.
The Woods Cross plant voluntarily shut down shortly after the explosion.
People living around Silver Eagle consistently say the company has worked to communicate with them as the accident and its aftermath unfolded.
"We like this neighborhood, we have no plan to move," said Garth Croft, who has lived in the neighborhood since 1984.
"I hope they have learned their lesson," Somers added.
Holhstrom said the two investigators will stay for several days.
Updated 7:53 p.m.
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Investigators to begin inspection of Silver Eagle Refinery
WOODS CROSS -- Federal investigators returned Thursday to the Silver Eagle Refinery as part of a follow-up investigation to the Nov. 4 explosion that lead to a shut down of the facility.
The visit comes after refinery officials told the U.S. Chemical Safety Board they plan to open a portion of the facility by the end of the month, said CSB Investigations Supervisor Don Holmstrom.
Holmstrom said the investigators will stay for several days, do more field work and talk with state regulators about the condition of the plant.
The November explosion rocked the neighborhood surrounding the refinery, damaging homes and forcing families out of their houses.
CSB Investigators left in December after completing an early phase of the investigation at the gasoline producing facility.
A CSB preliminary report blamed a thin pipe for an explosion which included visible flames and a sound that could be heard and felt for miles.
The Woods Cross plant voluntarily shut down shortly after the explosion.
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