The U.S. Chemical Safety Board is expected to release today what CSB investigators describe as dramatic video "at the moment of ignition" from the Nov. 4 Silver Eagle refinery explosion that shook a Woods Cross neighborhood and eventually shut down the plant.
CSB Chairman John Bresland is scheduled to fly to Utah for the footage release and to answer questions about the agency's first request to shut down a U.S. refinery.
"I think it reflects on the seriousness we attached to this event and the damage to the community," said the CSB's Daniel Horowitz about the chairman's visit to the Beehive State.
On Friday, the CSB asked Silver Eagle to temporarily stand down operations after concerns about the "integrity and fitness" of the company equipment.
On the same day, Silver Eagle voluntarily said it would comply.
It was the first time in the agency's history that such a request was made of any refinery.
The CSB is an independent federal agency charged with investigating industrial chemical accidents, and has done so since 1998.
The hydrogen gas explosion forced four families out of their damaged homes and resulted in more than 100 damage claims for nearby homes.
The CSB reports it has surveillance video and photographs showing the moment of ignition.
The agency's preliminary findings on the explosion showed "serious concerns about the integrity of the piping and equipment at various locations in the plant," said Bresland.
"We are committed to being a responsible business in the community and being a contributor to an important industry sector," wrote Silver Eagle President Dave McSwain over the weekend in a news statement. "We take our operating responsibility very seriously."
The CSB said it will also look at the proximity of homes to the refinery, an issue that has resurfaced at public meetings since the explosion.
Another Davis County facility, the Holly refinery in West Bountiful, has had similar concerns, according to Mike Astin, the Holly environmental manager.
Over the past several years, the Holly refinery has purchased homes and land, creating a wider buffer zone around its operations.
Updated 10:17 p.m.
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Safety board to release video of refinery explosion
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board is expected to release on Tuesday what CSB investigators describe as dramatic video "at the moment of ignition" of the Silver Eagle refinery explosion on Nov. 4 that shook a Woods Cross neighborhood and eventually shut down the plant.
CSB Chairman John Bresland is scheduled fly to Utah to answer questions Tuesday, following the agency's first request to shut down to a U.S. refinery.
"I think it reflects on the seriousness we attached to this event and the damage to the community," said the CSB's Daniel Horowitz about the agency chairman's visit to the Beehive State.
On Friday, the CSB asked Silver Eagle to stand down operations after concerns about the "integrity and fitness" of the company equipment. On the same day, Silver Eagle voluntarily said it would comply.
It was the first time in the agency's history that such a request was made of any refinery.
The CSB is an independent federal agency charged with investigating industrial chemical accidents, and has done so since 1998.
The hydrogen gas explosion forced four families out of their damaged homes and produce more 100 damage claims for nearby homes.
The CSB reports it has surveillance video and photographs showing the moment of ignition, which resulted in a plume of fire and smoke following an explosion that could be heard or felt as far away as South Layton.
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