Inquiries begin in Tesoro refinery explosion

ANACORTES — The federal Chemical Safety Board will begin its investigation Sunday into the Tesoro refinery blast, joining four other investigations aimed at determining what caused the explosion that killed five workers and critically injured two others.

The state Department of Labor & Industries and the federal Environmental Protection Agency have launched their own investigations. A team from Tesoro's corporate headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, is on site, as is a group of investigators representing the refinery's management and union workers, said Joe Solomon, president of United Steelworkers Local 12-591.

Bruce Smith, Tesoro's chief executive officer, flew in from Texas and met Saturday with a group of about 40 community leaders, including Anacortes Mayor Dean Maxwell.

"Everyone is traumatized," Maxwell said. "This was a tragedy, and no one ever wants to see this happen again."

The idea of a community memorial service was discussed, but Maxwell said leaders decided to wait until the families have had a chance to hold private funeral services. A fund to help the families is in the works.

Solomon said he telephoned the families of workers killed or injured in the blast — and he broke down during each of those conversations.

"They're grieving big-time right now," Solomon said. "I don't think they'll have closure until they know exactly what happened, and that's why these investigations are so important right now."

Sara Jean Green: 206-515-5654 or sgreen@seattletimes.com