Preliminary report says spontaneous reaction to blame for fire at Marathon refinery in Detroit

No one hurt in April tank fire at refinery

DETROIT – A preliminary investigation says a spontaneous reaction is to blame for a fire earlier this year in a tank at the Marathon Petroleum refinery in Detroit.

On April 27, a fire in a tank at the refinery forced the temporary evacuation of a number of area residents.

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No one was injured in the fire, which burned a tank that the company said held wastewater produced in refining processes.

Company spokesman Sid Barth told Local 4, "The ignition source was attributable to a spontaneous reaction of iron sulfide deposits with oxygen in the roof area of the tank."

Barth said an investigation continues, but that the company has modified their process for managing oxygen content in tanks.