WHITING | Two workers were sent to the hospital for observation after a fire broke out at 9 a.m. today in a sulphur processing unit at the BP Whiting Refinery.
The fire was put out within an hour by BP's own fire department, according to BP spokesman Scott Dean. The refinery continues to operate and produce products for customers, he said.
Both workers were taken to St. Catherine Hospital, in East Chicago, for observation as a precautionary measure, Dean said. He did not immediately know if they were BP employees or contract workers.
"Everyone responded correctly and quickly, clearing the area and acting in textbook fashion," Dean said.
Both BP employees and some contract workers engaged in the refinery's $3.8 billion expansion were immediately evacuated from the immediate vicinity of the fire this morning, Dean said.
The cause and origin of the fire will be investigated by BP's fire department, Dean said. There were no impacts to areas outside the refinery, he said.
The East Chicago Fire Department received a courtesy call from BP notifying them of the incident this morning, said East Chicago Fire Department Assistant Chief Roberto Martinez. BP said they did not need the East Chicago Fire Department's assistance. Martinez said he was told it was a small fire.
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