WOODS CROSS, Utah (ABC 4 News) – Holly Refinery in Woods Cross is cleaning up after a fuel tank blew and spewed fuel oil as far as a mile away.
Clean up began early Friday morning to remove the sticky, greasy globules of fuel oil that coated nearly everything southeast of the Holly refinery. Officials tell ABC 4 News the oil tank overpressured Thursday evening around 6:30 spraying about 200 barrels of fuel oil into the air.
Holly spokesperson Mike Astin said, “It’s not hazardous. Nobody was hurt in the incident, but it did cause a mess. When the fuel oil sprayed out it covered everything it contacted.”
Marcie Hammel lives nearby and says she heard about the accident when a Holly employee knocked on her door around 11 o’clock Thursday night.
“She said if there was anything damaged or that couldn’t be fixed she was going to replace it,” said Hammel. “If they could wash it and clean it up they were going to clean it up for us.”
That’s exactly what the company is doing for the Animal Care Center. Holly refining is tearing up and replacing the oil covered grass in the back of the kennel so the dogs staying there have someplace to play and go potty.
Owner Dr. Pam Nichols said, “They’re doing a fantastic job. I was here at 7:30 this morning and they were already here; the parking lot was already sanded, the doors already cleaned, guys were out in hazmat suits tearing up the grass. They’re doing a nice job.”
The cause of the overpressure is under investigation. Those who have been affected by the oil release are asked to contact the refinery at 801-560-5511. Holly will be responsible for all cleanup costs.
