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• 1 2022-09-25T14:43:28-07:00 Hancock Refinery Fire in Signal Hill, 1958 5 plain 2022-12-02T10:57:07-08:00 The image displays firefighters and other professionals' efforts to extinguish the fire at the Hancock Oil Refinery in Signal Hill, California in 1958. The Hancock Oil Refinery Fire commenced on May 22, 1958, when one of the factory’s fifty tanks bulged and ruptured on top, releasing oil in a flood. Before the rupture, employees noticed that steam was rising from one of the 80,000 gallon oil barrel tanks. After ten minutes of oil flooding from the tank, an employee at the refinery, Walter Neff, noted that the “crown piece on top of the tank - it must have been about 12 feet across and weighed maybe 1000 pounds - went flying up,” resulting in the oil being set ablaze.[1] Subsequently, the whole plant ignited and 860,000 gallons “of highly volatile, deadly poison tetraethyl lead” stood near the fire, threatening refinery workers and other nearby civilians. The flames emerged in a series of explosions, destroying the $15,000,000 refinery. The fire extended a quarter of a mile, threatening both Long Beach Municipal Airport and Long Beach General Hospital. Toxic fumes pervaded these areas, causing patients at Long Beach General Hospital to evacuate.[2] Firemen from various county districts quickly arrived on the scene, applying water to the flames. Police officers promptly sealed off the area for public safety; additionally, soldiers in barracks and fifty ambulances soon arrived. Firefighters feared that if the tetraethyl lead escaped, “the evacuation area would have to extend as far as the winds could carry the fumes.”[3] The fire had onlookers in shock, fleeing the plant shouting “Run for your lives!”[4] Although most were running from the fire, worried relatives of refinery workers arrived on the scene to search for their loved ones.[5] Fires extended through the night, with 100 firefighters, 100 police officers, 100 volunteers and 60 ambulance drivers fighting to control the flames.[6] The fire continued for two days before being contained. The flames damaged homes and cars in a 15 mile radius and it was estimated that damages totaled $8,000,0005 An insurance company in Long Beach estimated that 15,000 insurance claims would likely be filed as a result of smoke damage. The Fire killed two employees and injured eight and there was extensive land destruction making the Signal Hill Fire one of the most significant fires in Los Angeles history.
   

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  [1] “Four Saw Steam -And Then Tank Ripped by Blast,” Los Angeles Examiner (May 23, 1958), Los Angeles Examiner Clippings Collection, University of Southern California Special Collections.
  
  [2] “Hancock Oil Refinery Fire Declared Out,” Los Angeles Times (May 25, 1958), A1.
  
  [3] “New Signal Hill Oil Blast Peril,” Los Angeles Times (May 23, 1958), 1.
  
  [3] “‘Pink Mist’ Over Tank 1st Warning,” Los Angeles Examiner (May 23, 1958), Los Angeles Examiner Clippings Collection, University of Southern California Special Collections. “New Signal Hill Oil Blast Peril,” Los Angeles Times (May 23, 1958), 1.
  
  [4] “100 Men, 20 Rigs Pitted Against Oil-Fed Blaze”, Los Angeles Examiner (May 24, 1958), Los Angeles Examiner Clippings Collection, University of Southern California Special Collections.
  
  [5] “Homes, Cars Damaged 15 Mi. Away,” Los Angeles Examiner (May 24, 1958), Los Angeles Examiner Clippings Collection, University of Southern California Special Collections.
  
  [6] “Hancock Oil Refinery Fire Declared Out,” Los Angeles Times, (May 25, 1958), A1.