Refinery Fire!

Fluffy · 02-19-2008, 05:55 AM

Anybody watching the national news in the U.S. are probably aware of the refinery fire in Texas on Monday. That was my town, my refinery, my fire dept.
It was pretty bad. They said it was the worst one ever. Shook houses all over the county, broke out windows, moved trailer houses off their blocks. We live about 5 miles from the refinery, and it shook our house pretty hard.
We were getting ready to go out of town, and for some reason, we kept dragging our feet about going. (I had planned on going to my daughter's house near Dallas) Then the whole world blew up. Well, seemed like it. They evacuated schools, airlifted one refinery worker with 3rd degree burns on his legs. There were about 4 others with injuries, plus a lady driving down the interstate got hit by debris right thru her windshield.
But Hallelujah! It was a holiday, and the offices that were blown apart were empty! Hallelujah! God is so good! No one died! Very few serious injuries!
We had people from all over coming in with equipment and personell. That's what I'm supposed to be doing right now, retyping everything into the computer. We had over 100 people either in staging or in the refinery fighting the fire. I was in staging, keeping track of who was there.
At one point, we had a hydroflouric leak (please pardon the spelling if it is wrong). This is a bad acid that once it gets on your skin, keeps eating until it runs out of stuff to eat. It was in a vapor cloud that was drifting over the firefighters. They were moved before it got to them and I called my prayer warriors to pray that the wind stayed favorable and didnt get anyone else in danger. And Hallelujah! He answered that prayer! He kept the wind fairly calm, although it shifted a few times, it never got bad enough to evacuate the refinery! And no one got hurt by it!
The fire is out, now. My husband (who is the chief of the volunteers) was in charge of putting it out. He did a wonderful job in keeping everyone together, on track, safe and out of danger!
If anyone saw this on the news and prayed for us, thank you, very much. It is muchly appreciated. If I had had time, I would have posted a prayer request, but we flew out the door!
They are going to declare it a disaster on Tuesday. Everyone that had damages are going to get help getting it fixed.
Please say a prayer of thanks for the Red Cross, and the Salvation Army for thier ministry in bringing food and drinks to emergency workers. There were so many people that brought out water, food, everything but portapotties!!!!! ARgh!!! I'm thinking about getting my own and putting it on a trailer, then when we have another big incident taking it with me! The bowling alley down the road was gracious enough to let us use their facilities, and give snacks and drinks, too. We were out there for over 15 hours. Some of our firefighters are staying the night out there. Staying close in case anything else broke out, their communications systems are down. No 9-1-1! Ha! We didnt need a page out! EVERYBODY knew what happened!
Ok, got to get back to work.
Thank you, for letting me talk. Still have some adrenaline going!

Jax · 02-19-2008, 06:01 AM

Praise God Fluffy, Praise God

SweetSurrender · 02-19-2008, 06:02 AM

Oh, Fluffy,
And here I thought you were at your daughter's already. What you have been going through! Thank Heavenly Father for His care over you and your husband. I have no idea what is involved in a refinery fire, but it sounds very dangerous. We're glad your safe. . . tired, but safe.

Dusty · 02-19-2008, 01:19 PM

Dear Fluffy ...... Thankyou Jesus that no one was seriously in jured and that you and your husband are ok.

Boanerges · 02-19-2008, 02:16 PM

I am pleased all worked out so well sis. I am praying for the injjured men and their families.

Fluffy · 02-19-2008, 03:48 PM

Thanks, ya'll! I appreciate the support! The worst injury was the man that was burned on his legs. The others were relatively minor injuries, and none of them were firefighters. My husband is the chief of the Volunteers and we have trained extensively with the refinery for just such an occaision. But there was no one taking charge, so My husband took over fire suppression and with the knowledge and training that God had given him, he kept everyone safe and got the fire put out. It will be declared a disaster today. There are many stories of blown windows and shifted walls, people being knocked down. This was the worst incident the refinery has ever experienced, and its not the worst that could happen!
Praise be to God! for His provision and care! AMEN!

Boanerges · 02-19-2008, 04:08 PM

I used to live about 7 miles from the Norco GATX plant. One night a cat cracker blew and shook houses for 20 miles. My brother in law was driving a few blocks away at the time and had the rear windshield blown out of his car. Sadly one person did die but praise God it could have been far worse.

Fluffy · 02-19-2008, 10:49 PM

Hey, Boanerges! You are right, it could have been alot worse!
Our refinery has a Catcracker, and I have been told that it is the last of its kind. That the others have all exploded. And if it does, it will wipe out a 5 mile radius! During the first part of the fire, there was fire on top of the Cat, and we got it put out, then there was fire at the bottom and some were calling for evacuation, but my hubby, the chief of the volunteers knew if they didnt get it put out, the Cat would blow. So they worked hard and bravely and got it out!
Something was brought to my attention today. While we are busy patting ourselves on the back for a job well done, (and it was!) we were forgetting the individuals that were in the plant at the time of the explosion that made life saving decisions in those first few seconds.
A big thank you to them, and to God for giving them knowlege and skills and cool heads!

Boanerges · 02-19-2008, 10:52 PM

Praise God!

slavetoChrist · 02-20-2008, 03:44 AM

God's grace is amazing.

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