'No danger to the community' after odors investigated at Cenovus Lima Refinery
Nov. 7—SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP — Officials assured the community there was no danger after a Thursday morning incident at the Cenovus Lima Refinery.
The Shawnee Fire Department responded at 5:58 a.m. Thursday to investigate odors near Buckeye Road, Shawnee Township Fire Chief Austin Miller said in a press release.
"The situation is considered closed and under control," Miller said in the press release, sent out at 3:36 p.m. Thursday. "We want to assure everyone that there is no danger to the community."
As a precautionary measure, some local businesses were initially asked to shelter in place during the investigation before realizing the incident did not expand south past Buckeye Road, Miller said. Shawnee schools also dismissed students for the day shortly after the school day began.
"Upon investigation, it was determined that gasoline vapors from a tank vent were contributing to a minimal reading on benzene gas," Miller said in the press release.
Benzine is a component found in gasoline, according to a refinery spokesman.
A statement issued by Cenovus at approximately 11:30 a.m. said Buckeye Road, which had been closed for a portion of the morning, has been re-opened.
"The unit being worked on at the Lima refinery has been stabilized," the company said. "We appreciate the patience of residents for any inconvenience this may have caused. We continue to monitor local air quality and there are no detectable readings at this time."
All refinery workers have been accounted for, and no injuries were reported.
Shawnee schools posted a statement on Facebook at around 8:40 a.m. that students would be dismissed for the day.
"Out if an abundance of caution, due to a benzene gas leak at the Lima refinery, Shawnee Schools will be dismissing students as soon as possible," according to the statement.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, benzene is a chemical that is a colorless or light yellow liquid at room temperature. It has a sweet odor and is highly flammable. Benzene evaporates into the air quickly but dissolves only slightly in water and will float on top of water.
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