[Note from BenIndy: Once again, from one refinery town another, Benicia surely empathizes and sympathizes with those impacted by this large refinery fire in Ohio that took 75 firefighters to contain. Impacts to nearby soil and waterways are currently under investigation. Remember, according to the WSJ, there ‘hasn’t been a major new oil refinery built in the U.S. since the 1970s, and many plants are more than 100 years old.’ That same article linked above also notes that, according to the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, ‘2021 was the worst year for serious incidents at U.S. refineries since 2015, measured by hours worked, with the rate of so-called process-safety events 25% higher than in 2019 and 2020.’ As refineries continue to deteriorate, the rate of serious incidents seems likely to increase.]
November 22, 2023
COLUMBUS — Ohio firefighters battled an oil refinery fire for several hours Tuesday night.
Columbus firefighters were dispatched just after 8 p.m. to GFL Columbus Refinery across from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and were put out after 10 p.m., according to our news partner WBNS in Columbus.
It is also located near John Glenn Columbus International Airport.
Firefighters had to deal with massive flames when they arrived at the scene.
Whitehall Division of Fire provided mutual aid and posted videos and photos of the fire on its social media page.
Columbus Fire Battalion Chief Jeffrey Geitter told WBNS crews worked to keep other surrounding tanks cool to keep the fire from spreading.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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