An explosion and fire in a gasoline-processing unit rocked the ExxonMobil refinery Wednesday in Torrance, injuring four workers, sending flames and ash into the sky and fueling fears that gas prices will quickly rise.
Homes shook in the city when the blast occurred about 8:50 a.m. Caltech’s earthquake researchers in Pasadena said the explosion was equivalent to a magnitude 1.7 temblor.
Flames were visible from the refinery on 190th Street and Crenshaw Boulevard, and residents reported ash-like debris and cloth that appeared to be insulation landing like snow on their cars and front lawns…