A fire broke out yesterday evening at the Delek: El Dorado Refinery, formerly known as Lion Oil.
“At first I thought they were just testing the sirens, but then I saw black smoke,” said Ricky Campbell, a teenager who lives on West Cook, about a block from the refinery.
“Delek has their own fire brigade,” said El Dorado Police public information officer Chris Lutman, who was at home on his front porch when he heard sirens sound around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Several EPD officers were on scene. Around 6 p.m., about half an hour after the fire broke out, three EPD units were there; an officer said they came at the sound of the sirens to find out what was going on.
Later, more EPD units arrived to help direct traffic. A unit could be seen blocking Marsh Street. Lutman said other units may have been blocking areas of Robert E. Lee Street and College Avenue.
El Dorado Fire Chief Chad Mosby said the Fire Department was not called out to assist in suppressing the fires; however, he said that is typical since the refinery has their own safety team and fire brigade.
At about 7:15 p.m., Lutman said the fire was under control, per police officers on scene at the refinery.
Liz Mattern, executive admin for the refinery, said she could not give any details on how the fire started or its progression.
“I can’t release any information. I am not at liberty to discuss it,” she said.
As far as public safety officials knew, no one was reported injured in the fire.
In an email response to the situation, Michael P. Ralsky, vice president of public affairs for Delek U.S. Holdings stated, “Earlier this evening, a fire occurred at Delek US Holdings’ refinery in El Dorado, Arkansas. It was extinguished by refinery employees. As the safety of employees and the local community are our top priorities, we are pleased that no injuries have been reported. We appreciate the support provided by the City of El Dorado. A full investigation into the fire’s causes has already been launched.”
Campbell said he has lived on West Cook for two to three years. He said he and his 6-year-old brother were home alone when the sirens started going off. His neighbor, a former employee at the refinery, came to his house and asked if they wanted to evacuate with him.
Campbell said he called his mother, who gave him permission to take his brother and leave with the neighbor. He said they went several blocks over to a park, where they waited for about half an hour before returning home shortly before 6:30 p.m.
Campbell’s neighbor said he worked at the refinery for about five years. He said when he heard the sirens begin going off, he started preparing for evacuation after an incident several years ago when he was employee. During that incident he and other workers evacuated to the Immanuel Baptist Church parking lot on Hillsboro.
“I got ready to carry them (the Campbell children) with me because I didn’t know what was going on,” the neighbor said. “That thing up there’s got hydrogen in it, and hydrogen and air makes a bomb, right?”
The neighbor said he and his wife have lived on West Cook for 30 years and he has never been evacuated from his home as a result of happenings at the refinery.
“I’ve got the book that knows what all the whistles (sirens) are for and they went all out tonight,” he said.
Caitlan Butler can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].
