Four workers were injured yesterdaymorning in an incident at BP's Cherry Point refinery near Blaine, prompting a major emergency response and fresh questions at one of the region's biggest industrial sites. Company officials say the situation has been contained and that there is no risk to nearby communities. All other staff have been accounted for, and the injured were taken to a local hospital. The refinery was in the final days of a scheduled maintenance turnaround at the time, which meant extra contractors and activity in the complex.
Responders on scene
Whatcom County Fire District 7 reported that crews were dispatched to the Cherry Point facility around 10:25 a.m., with Airlift NW placed on standby, according to Whatcom News. Fire Chief Ben Boyko told the outlet that three patients were transported to PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s Medical Center, two by basic life support transport and one with advanced life support care.
Workers in the area reported hearing a loud, concussive noise, and some employees were evacuated from the facility. Those scheduled to come in for later shifts were told not to report while crews handled the situation and assessed conditions at the refinery.
BP says incident contained
In a statement to KING 5, a BP spokesperson said, “The situation is contained and does not pose a risk to nearby communities,” and confirmed that four people had been injured and taken to a local hospital. The company added that all other staff are accounted for and said it will release more details as they become available.
Officials have not yet provided information on what caused the incident or described the severity of the injuries.
About Cherry Point and the turnaround
BP's Cherry Point refinery is one of the largest refineries on the West Coast and processes roughly 225,000 to 250,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The company has highlighted recent safety improvements at the site, according to BP.
Whatcom News noted that the incident occurred in the final days of a scheduled maintenance turnaround, a period that typically brings more contractors on site and increases maintenance and project work across the facility.
What comes next
Local emergency managers, BP and state regulators are expected to investigate the cause of the incident, and the company has said it will share updates as more information is confirmed.
The broader region is no stranger to debates over refinery and pipeline safety. The area has faced heightened scrutiny since the 1999 Whatcom Falls pipeline disaster in Bellingham, which led to new oversight and inspection requirements for fuel infrastructure, according to The Bellingham Herald.
