ExxonMobil Confirms Fire at Port Mobil
6:50 P.M. EST
ExxonMobil, Port Mobil UPDATE # 3
FAIRFAX, Virginia (February 21) - ExxonMobil is devoting full resources to mitigating the damage from and containing the fire which occurred at its Port Mobil facility in Staten Island.
One ExxonMobil employee was injured in the fire and is hospitalized. The body of an employee of the company that owns the barge involved in the incident was found. Another person from the barge company is unaccounted for.
The Terminal Manager, Mr. Hank Muller said, "We are greatly saddened by the injuries and loss of life, and extend our deepest sympathy to the families. ExxonMobil personnel are with the family of our injured employee to provide our support at this difficult time."
Mr. Muller continued, "We deeply regret the occurrence of this event and the inconvenience it may have caused local residents. We are working hard to bring the situation under control and continue to cooperate fully with all the emergency response groups involved."
ExxonMobil has a longstanding corporate commitment to maintaining the safety of our employees and our neighbors in communities where we operate. Our focus now is on containing the incident and ensuring the safety of the public. Once we have achieved this objective, we will begin a thorough investigation of the cause of this unfortunate event.
Maintaining supply to our customers is also a key priority, and at this time we believe we will be able to meet all of our commitments without significant delay or interruption.
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3:30 P.M. EST
ExxonMobil, Port Mobil UPDATE # 2
FAIRFAX, Virginia (February 21) - A fire occurred at the ExxonMobil Port Mobil terminal in Staten Island, NY at approximately 10:30 a.m. today. A barge, owned by Bouchard Barge Company, containing 100,000 barrels of unleaded gasoline was being unloaded when an explosion occurred. ExxonMobil is cooperating fully with emergency response authorities to bring this situation under control.
One ExxonMobil employee has been taken to a local hospital. Two Bouchard employees are unaccounted for.
The plume of smoke from the fire has largely dissipated. The air at ground level should pose no significant health effect. The combustion of gasoline creates mainly carbon dioxide and water. The black particles in the smoke are essentially soot.
The fire continues as the fuel from the barge and loading facilities burns off. The remaining product at the terminal has been isolated from the fire. The local fire department is on scene. A contract company, Clean Harbors, has been sent to the site. Clean Harbors will begin clean up work after the fire has been extinguished and the authorities give authorization to proceed.
Port Mobil is one of a number of terminals that supply the area. ExxonMobil is in the process of redirecting product to ensure supply is available to our customers. The Colonial Pipeline remains in operation at locations before it connects to the Port Mobil facility.
Port Mobil is located at the southern end of NY Harbor on Arthur Kill. The site is 203 acres and has 39 operational tanks that hold premium gasoline, regular gasoline, low sulfur diesel, other distillates and jet fuel. There are 31 people employed at Port Mobil.
At the time of the incident, fewer than 500,000 useable barrels of product were being stored at the terminal. The terminal can hold up to 2.5 million barrels and has 8 berths.
Approximately 750 barges load and unload at Port Mobil per year. Colonial Pipeline and marine vessels deliver to the terminal. There is no truck rack at the terminal.
ExxonMobil is responding to this incident and additional information will be supplied as soon as it becomes available.
Note: Contact Bouchard at 516-681-4900 for information regarding the barge or Bouchard employees.
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2:50 PM EST
ExxonMobil, Port Mobil UPDATE # 1
FAIRFAX, Virginia (February 21) - A fire occurred at the ExxonMobil Port Mobil terminal in Staten Island, NY at approximately 10:30 a.m. today.
There is currently one person in the hospital and two individuals remain unaccounted for. For further information, contact Bouchard Barge Company at 516-681-4900.
A contract company, Clean Harbors, has been mobilized to the incident scene. Clean Harbors will begin work after the fire has been extinguished and the authorities give authorization.
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10:40 A.M.
FAIRFAX, Virginia (February 21, 2003) -- ExxonMobil confirmed that a fire occurred today at the Port Mobil distribution terminal on Staten Island, NY.
A barge containing 100,000 barrels of unleaded gasoline was being offloaded when an explosion occurred.
One employee has been reported injured and has been taken to a local hospital. Two other individuals on the barge are unaccounted for at this time.
Our focus now is on putting the fire out and ensuring the safety of the public and our employees. Once we have achieved this objective, we will begin a thorough investigation of the cause of this unfortunate event.
ExxonMobil is fully cooperating with all authorities and agencies.
