Refinery had fire day before blast

? A small fire broke out at an oil refinery the day before a deadly blast at the site killed 15 people and injured more than 100, a company spokesman said Friday.

Bill Stephens, a spokesman for BP, said a 3/4-inch valve on a furnace line caught fire Tuesday afternoon in a part of the plant that boosts the octane level of gasoline.

So-called “bleeder valves” are placed in areas where water could collect and create steam that would slow production, he said. The fire was extinguished within seconds by a worker.

Wednesday afternoon’s blast — the worst accident in the nation’s gas and chemical industry in 15 years — occurred as a portion of the same facility was brought up to full production after a two-week shutdown for routine maintenance.

“We don’t know if the small fire is related to the large fire,” Stephens said of the explosion, which shot flames, black plumes of smoke and metal fragments into the sky. “We’re not going to jump to any conclusions on this.”

Three federal investigators toured the perimeter of the explosion site Friday. One of them, John Bresland of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Board, said the fire appeared to be “a small incident” and probably was not connected to the explosion.

Based on his observations and videotapes of the fire following the blast, Bresland said the explosion probably was caused by some sort of chemical release. He said investigators would know more next week.

The Galveston County medical examiner identified the dead Friday. They ranged in age from 27 to 63 and included four women. Among the dead were a married couple, Linda Rowe, 47, and James Rowe, 48. The Rowes worked for Merit.

The medical examiner identified the other dead as: Morris King, 52; Larry Linsenbardt, 58; Ryan Rodriguez, 28; Larry Thomas, 63; Susan Taylor, 33; Eugene White, 53; Kimberly Smith, 43; Daniel Hogan, 58; Rafael Herrera, 27; Glen Bolton, 50; Jimmy Hunnings, 58; Lorena Cruz, 32; and Art Ramos, 59.

Friends and family members escort Paula Cruz, second from left, Friday in Texas City, Texas. Cruz's 32-year old daughter, Lorena Cruz, was one of 15 people who were killed in an explosion Wednesday at the BP refinery. The Galveston County medical examiner identified the dead Friday. They ranged in age from 27 to 63 and included four women.