While the Feb. 18 explosion that rocked the Alon USA Big Spring Refinery may have begun to fade from many local residents’ minds, officials with the refinery want to make sure their appreciation for those who gave a helping hand doesn’t.
The Big Spring Refinery will host a luncheon Monday to offer its appreciation and recognition of the emergency responders that helped turn what could have been a terrible tragedy into what is now being referred to within the community as a miracle.
“We felt the need to recognize the people who responded to the Feb. 18 incident,” said Verna Davis, executive assistant to David Foster, vice president of refining for Alon USA. “We want to show our appreciation for these men and women. There’s such a long list of responders that were there from the beginning of the incident until well after dark that night. We wanted to get as many of them together as could attend and show our appreciation.”
Davis said several state and local officials are expected to make presentations during the luncheon, which is expected to get under way with a sandwich buffet at 11:15 a.m. at the Dorothy Garrett Coliseum.
“Congressman Randy Neugebauer will be attending, and he’s expected to recognize the responders that were there,” said Davis. “State Senator Kel Seliger and State Representative Joe Heflin are also expected to speak. Alon USA Executive Chairman David Wiessman, President and CEO Jeff Morris and Mr. Foster are also expected to make presentations during the luncheon.”
An explosion ripped through the Big Spring Refinery at approximately 8:15 a.m. Feb. 18, sending a shock wave through the surrounding communities. At least one Big Spring business was shut down due to structural concerns caused by the blast, while several others suffered damages, including blown-out windows and doors.
Five injuries were reported as a result of the explosion, according to Blake Lewis, spokesperson for Alon USA, including one Alon employee — identified by the Associated Press as Paul Berringer, who was treated for burns in a Lubbock hospital — a trio of contractors and a motorist that was struck by debris while traveling on Interstate Highway 20.
According to witness accounts, the cause of the explosion was a propylene tank leak that caused a mist-like vapor to gather in the refinery, eventually making its way into a cracker heater and an alkaline unit, causing both to explode simultaneously.
The Israeli-owned company confirmed the explosion did occur in the area around the propylene splitter unit, but has not yet released a definitive cause or estimates for the cost to repair the facility.
Among the responders set to be honored Monday are fire departments from Big Spring, Midland, Odessa and Snyder; volunteer fire departments from Howard County and Mitchell and Glasscock counties; the Big Spring Police Department; Howard County Sheriff’s Department; Texas Department of Public Safety; Texas Department of Transportation; the city of Big Spring, Mayor Russ McEwen and the city council; County Judge Mark Barr and the county commissioners court; The Big Spring Refinery Red Hats; local Air Evac personnel and the Brownwood Air Ambulance; the Salvation Army and American Red Cross; the local Amateur Radio organization; and the Texas Forest Service.
“Anyone who has questions about the luncheon can contact the Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce at 263-7641,” said Davis. “They have agreed to take calls and answer any questions people might have.”
Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at
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