Investigations into what caused an explosion at BP Cherry Point that sent three people to the hospital are still underway, with limited information provided nearly a month after the April 18 incident.
Cesar Rodriguez, U.S. media relations manager for BP, said the energy company’s internal investigation was ongoing and no new information was available as of May 11. He did not respond to questions on when the internal investigation will be completed or in which unit BP believes the explosion occurred.
The explosion caused a loud boom that Birch Bay and some Blaine residents heard around 10:20 a.m. April 18 that shook the ground near the refinery, including at Birch Bay State Park.
Three workers received care at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham and were discharged by evening, Rodriguez previously said. He also had said the incident was contained and didn’t pose a risk to Birch Bay residents.
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries launched an investigation into BP and two contractors, Spectrum and Intertek, on April 21. Labor and Industries spokesperson Matt Ross said the investigation was still active. He previously said the investigation could take up to six months, and the report will be made public when available.
Northwest Clean Air Agency (NWCAA) spokesperson Seth Preston wrote in an email to The Northern Light that the agency didn’t have new information to share. NWCAA previously said it wasn’t aware of harmful emissions released by the explosion and was awaiting a monthly BP report to determine if it needed to inspect the incident.
