Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Bilal Motley, a former utilities manager at a Philadelphia oil refinery, found himself in the midst of chaos during a graveyard shift when a massive explosion erupted on June 21, 2019. He described the frantic scene as reports of a fire at the facility’s hydrofluoric acid unit flooded in through the radios, leading to a rush of workers to the fire site. Motley, fearing for his life, quickly responded to the emergency, reflecting on the dangers of the acid unit.
As Motley made his way to the incident, more explosions shook the refinery, with a leaking pipe creating a massive cloud of explosive chemicals that ignited in a series of blasts. The largest explosion propelled a 38,000-pound drum fragment across the Schuylkill River, causing chaos and panic among workers at the refinery. Despite the harrowing experience, no fatalities were reported from the 2019 explosions, although six workers sustained minor injuries.
The Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery, once the largest oil refining complex on the East Coast, had a significant impact on the city’s industrial landscape. Processing hundreds of thousands of barrels of crude oil daily, the refinery produced various petroleum products crucial for daily life, such as gasoline, jet fuel, and heating oil. However, the refinery’s history was marred by multiple incidents and fires, leading to concerns from local grassroots groups advocating for safety and accountability.
Following the devastating 2019 fire, Philadelphia Energy Solutions filed for bankruptcy protection, marking the end of an era for the refinery. The closure resulted in property damage estimated at around $750 million, making it one of the largest refinery losses globally. Subsequently, the former employees, including Motley, were let go as the property awaited its fate in bankruptcy proceedings.
In January 2020, a closed-door auction determined the property’s future, with Hilco Redevelopment Partners acquiring the site. The Chicago-based real estate company embarked on a mission to transform the contaminated land into a modern campus, addressing environmental concerns while aiming to benefit the community with new opportunities. Despite the challenges ahead, stakeholders remain hopeful about the refinery’s redevelopment in Philadelphia.