Blast hits New York oil plant

February 21, 2003 7:54 AM

Staten Island oil and gas facility on fire...
The BBC reports that a massive explosion has struck an oil and gas facility on Staten Island, on the outskirts of New York City.
posted by tomcosgrave (31 comments total)

It's exaggeratedly astonishing.
posted by Pretty_Generic at 7:56 AM on February 21, 2003

Set phasers for SPECULATE!
posted by bondcliff at 7:57 AM on February 21, 2003

I guarantee you - it was terriers.
posted by Pretty_Generic at 8:02 AM on February 21, 2003

No, this is obviously the work of plagiarists!
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 8:03 AM on February 21, 2003

Holy shit. No news outlets have any information at all right now.
posted by TurkishGolds at 8:06 AM on February 21, 2003

Was Great White playing anywhere near there?
posted by bondcliff at 8:07 AM on February 21, 2003

it could be bunnies.
posted by t r a c y at 8:08 AM on February 21, 2003

call me paranoid but I've got this really bad feeling this is some sort of terrible accident caused by something accidental happening...

god I hope I'm wrong
posted by gravelshoes at 8:09 AM on February 21, 2003

No statement from the administration yet. WHAT ARE THEY HIDING!?!?!?!
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 8:09 AM on February 21, 2003

Haha. Dumb terrorists. Blowing up an oil barge. They must think we give a shit about oil.
posted by vito90 at 8:14 AM on February 21, 2003

The collective sigh of relief from NYC citizens that this is the terrorist act that's been warned about forever should extinguish the blaze in no time.
posted by Busithoth at 8:16 AM on February 21, 2003

It was probably overworked refueling people trying to refuel the barge faster than recommended, and in the process killing a few people. What do you mean, safety on the workplace?
posted by sebas at 8:17 AM on February 21, 2003

Not much net coverage... but I did find this on a local news-radio site:

DRAMATIC NEWS IMAGE

Every tv news chopper is in the area, and the cable news networks are all tuned in. The fire has died down tremendously at this point. I can see the smoke from where I am in Jersey but didn't feel anything as I've heard others did from news reports. But from the looks of it it truely is nothing more then an oil tanker cought fire while refueling. (latest speculation is jet feul)... not that that is commonplace by any means.
posted by 10sball at 8:17 AM on February 21, 2003

And then Trogdor comes in the niiight!
posted by Pretty_Generic at 8:20 AM on February 21, 2003

"Fire engulfed a barge in the waterway"

Shit. This is the big one. I've used my plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal my cube here at work. Good catch. Fire on a barge. Who thought something like this could ever happen here in the US?
posted by y6y6y6 at 8:24 AM on February 21, 2003

is this not the type of newfilter the site does not need. What is there to discuss other then higher gas prices.
posted by clavdivs at 8:26 AM on February 21, 2003

Looks like the American news sources have finally been told by the government what to say.

All kidding aside, thanks for the pic, 10sball!
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 8:30 AM on February 21, 2003

DRAMATIC NEWS MUSIC
posted by Pretty_Generic at 8:35 AM on February 21, 2003

I can see the smoke from Union, NJ.
posted by adampsyche at 8:39 AM on February 21, 2003

most likely, it's nothing but an industrial accident... but this image is sickly reminiscent of 9/11/01.
posted by psmealey at 8:39 AM on February 21, 2003

Sorry...

Here it is.
posted by psmealey at 8:41 AM on February 21, 2003

Damn smoldering night clubbers going to work the next day....
posted by rough ashlar at 8:41 AM on February 21, 2003

This is actually a fairly large fire.
posted by tingley at 8:45 AM on February 21, 2003

For most people oil (gasoline) is the largest bulk consumer item purchased. If we were to have our yearly cars usage of unrefined oil delivered to our house it would be more mass than the size of our house. It seems invisible at the pump. So we have to store this stuff and it's only amazing we don't have more accidents.
posted by stbalbach at 9:00 AM on February 21, 2003

the smoke's blowing over to Jersey so it's ok ; >
posted by amberglow at 9:11 AM on February 21, 2003

"At first we thought it was some sort of terrorist incident. 9/11 is not that far away."

Erm...
posted by twine42 at 9:52 AM on February 21, 2003

From top to bottom, this thread is good reading. Had me laughing outloud.
I think my favorite was from bondcliff.

Set phasers for SPECULATE!

That still makes me laugh. Not to belittle any of the other witty comments. All good, and all on target.

Honorable mention to Bondcliff for his comment as well.

Happy Friday to all, enjoy the weekend.

Don't forget to update your countries on Nationstates. Metaregion is shrinking!!
posted by a3matrix at 10:25 AM on February 21, 2003

I live about six miles from the site; we heard the blast and smelled the smoke, but no one I know was panicking. This is not the first time there have been refinery accidents. The Fire Department has a heckuva job on its hands, though.
posted by Soliloquy at 1:44 PM on February 21, 2003

HAHAHA How tired am I? Bondcliff had two good ones and I never even noticed. Damn, need a nap
posted by a3matrix at 2:15 PM on February 21, 2003

I'm just waiting for them to announce that they found Saddam's passport lying on top of the wreckage.
posted by GrooveJedi at 5:31 PM on February 21, 2003

newsfilter
posted by lampshade at 11:26 PM on February 21, 2003