Utah Refinery Shutting Down Following Recent Blast

MIKE STARK

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah oil refinery is shutting down after a gas explosion earlier this month damaged 10 homes.

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board has been investigating the Nov. 4 explosion at the Silver Eagle Refinery in Woods Cross. On Friday, board Chairman John Bresland recommended that the plant shut down as quickly as possible.

He says investigators in recent days developed serious concerns about the plant's equipment. He says the plant could be restarted once any needed repairs are made and investigators can determine it's safe to reopen.

Silver Eagle confirmed it agreed to the shutdown.

Investigators haven't made a final determination on what caused the blast. No one was injured.

There also was a fire at the plant in January that burned for 11 hours.