Worst Nightmare

One of the scariest things that could happen in an oil refinery has happened here last night, in our own backyard. At about 12:30 am the Tesoro Refinery in Anacortes Washington experienced an explosion and fire at the Naptha Hydro Treater Unit. Three people were killed and four are in critical condition at Harborview, two women and two men. One of the women is exactly my age. 

I can't even imagine. 

It's unbelievable, heartbreaking, and way to close to home. 

Our safety departments, process safety management teams, industrial hygiene departments and operators work tirelessly daily trying to ensure that these sort of incidents never ever occur. But sometimes terrible things happen, and this is no doubt one of them.

Please be praying for everyone involved, for the injured and the families of those killed. For those left running the rest of the plant and those who are investigating. 

I'm pretty sure I won't be able to think about anything else today, this Good Friday, another day of suffering.