Blast in New York - Staten Island

[Donut]

Explosion in gas and oil facility in Staten Island. A huge fire, many other gas or oil holders in the vicinity. May be a propane barge that has exploded between Staten Island and New Jersey. Huge fire.

From the BBC

Blast hits New York oil plant
A massive explosion has struck an oil and gas facility on Staten Island, on the outskirts of New York City.

Fire has engulfed a barge in the waterway known as Arthur Kill.

Plumes of black smoke are darkening the sky between New York City and New Jersey and can be seen for many miles.

One report says an explosion on the barge triggered the blaze.

There are no details of any casualties.

Firefighters are reported to be on their way to the scene.

[ 02-21-2003, 10:52 AM: Message edited by: Donut ]

[Rokenn]

CNN very little info on this so far, I found this on Foxnews.com:

NEW YORK — An oil refinery is burning out of control on the edge of the New York City borough of Staten Island, sending black smoke and flames hundreds of feet into the air over New York Harbor.

A barge that was refueling at the location apparently caught fire, setting off an explosion and a huge fire.

It wasn't immediately clear whether any of the dozens of oil tanks in the area were burning.

The explosion, which could be heard several miles away, occurred at the edge of Port Mobile, near the Outerbridge Crossing that links Staten Island to Woodbridge, N.J.

Staten Island is one of the five boroughs of New York City.

Residents of the area were told to keep their windows closed. Phone service was out to parts of local neighborhoods.

The fire apparently started on a barge as it was being refueled, New York City Fire Department Chief William Van Ward of said on WNBC-TV.

There was an explosion at 10:10 a.m., and the blaze spread quickly, setting part of the mainland on fire as well.

Fuel is delivered to all New York airports via a 1862-mile deep-water pipeline at the location. The pipeline, which originates in Texas, delivers fuel to all New York airports.

[Donut]

Apparently the cost of a barrel of oil increased by one dollar on the world markets after the news.

[Ronn_Bman]

Amazing how quickly the industry can react isn't it?

Been watching this, apparently it was just an accident, no evidence of anything unusual so far, and it is right on the water, doesn't look like many people will be in danger.

As for oil prices...the recent rise in price to almost $40 a barrel is nothing more than price gouging by the oil industry, nothing at all has happened to the supply or demand to justify the increase...especially since the gas they are selling at the pumps was bought and paid for a long time ago....I have always hated that aspect of the oil industry

[Rokenn]

Originally posted by MagiK: Been watching this, apparently it was just an accident, no evidence of anything unusual so far, and it is right on the water, doesn't look like many people will be in danger. As for oil prices...the recent rise in price to almost $40 a barrel is nothing more than price gouging by the oil industry, nothing at all has happened to the supply or demand to justify the increase...especially since the gas they are selling at the pumps was bought and paid for a long time ago....I have always hated that aspect of the oil industry

heh, just a couple of days ago there was a big article in the business section about how the oil industry is bemoaning their bad public image. It's things like this that give it to em. I love when they say higher prices are due to this reason or that, then a month later report another record quarter for profits [img]graemlins/madhell.gif[/img]

Hope there are no casualties

Btw Fuel tax in the UK, is 8.3 times higher than the US, I never knew the gap was quite so extreme!

[ 02-21-2003, 12:25 PM: Message edited by: Sir_Tainly ]

[Lanesra]

Originally posted by Ronn_Bman: Amazing how quickly the industry can react isn't it?

Will they react so quickly the other way, if this proves to be not so serious, and judging by the footage i,m seeing the fire's dying out.

[Rokenn]

Originally posted by Lanesra: Quote: Originally posted by Ronn_Bman: Amazing how quickly the industry can react isn't it?

Will they react so quickly the other way, if this proves to be not so serious, and judging by the footage i,m seeing the fire's dying out.[/QUOTE]You seriously believe that prices will come down just as fast? If so I have a bridge I'd be happy to sell ya. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[quietman1920]

Looking out my window, I can see the smoke & smog; its obscuring my view of the GWB. I'm glad I'm inside & not outside breathing in that crap...

PS- I didn't feel any explosion...