Investigators to release Silver Eagle Refining explosion video

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board plans to release surveillance video Tuesday showing the ignition and explosion that damaged homes in Woods Cross on Nov. 4.

The explosion at Silver Eagle Refining was blamed on a 10-inch pipe at the refinery's diesel hydrotreater that failed catastrophically. Significant thinning in the pipe hadn't been detected by the refinery's mechanical integrity program, the CSB said.

Increasing concerns about the integrity of the refinery's piping led the CSB, after consulting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Utah Labor Commission and refinery officials, to recommend that the refinery's refining operations shut down temporarily.

The refinery complied, and the temporary closure was announced Friday.

Residents in the area cheered the decision. Previously, some had called for the refinery to be shut down, but many said they simply wanted to feel safe in their neighborhoods.

On Tuesday, CSB chairman John Bresland will brief the media at 2 p.m. at the Hampton Inn in Woods Cross about the decision to ask the refinery to shut down and about the CSB's investigation, according to CSB spokesman Daniel Horowitz.

Bresland also has a meeting scheduled with Woods Cross city officials and state Rep. Roger Barrus, R-Centerville, who represents Woods Cross and is chairman of the House Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Committee.

Bresland also plans to visit the refinery and damaged homes in the area.

Woods Cross Mayor Kent Parry said he's looking forward to the visit and is relieved the CSB is responding to the explosion by sending its chairman to Utah.

"We're pleased with the response from their end," Parry said.

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