Residents of Torrance, California, reported ash falling from the sky on Wednesday after an incident at a nearby oil refinery.
Weird ash like substance falling in Torrance! What's up??
People on social media shared images of the ash falling on their cars, just in time for Ash Wednesday.
My cousin said its raining an ash-like substance #torrance. Local prob?or same thing that happened in WA?@JimCantore
Other residents reported the ground shaking after hearing an explosion.
@KTLA what happened at the torrance refinery, the gourd shook and we heard an explosion.
A Torrance Fire Department spokesperson told BuzzFeed News there had been an incident at the Exxon Mobil Refinery, but could not provide further information.
@KTLA torrance is exploding as we speak
The department posted on Facebook that there had been an "explosion" at the refinery.
However, Fire Captain Steve Deuel told the Los Angeles Times that refinery workers activated a flare system because of a petroleum product leak.
BREAKING: Explosion at Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, CA leads to ash fall -- witnesses (via @phelangh8)
The system shoots flames into the sky and was described by Deuel as a "safety measure."
BREAKING NEWS: Explosion reported at Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance, CA. (CBSLA)