Puerto Rico Guard responds to oil refinery fires

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy
National Guard Bureau

Members of the Puerto Rico National Guard's 215th Engineer Detachment work to contain the fires that engulfed 21 of the 40 fuel tanks at the Caribbean Petroleum Corporation (COPECO) over a 72-hour period in Puerto Rico. The unit deployed to Iraq 2004 and credited that experience as key to their quick response. (Photo by Maj. Edwin Cruz, Puerto Rico National Guard)
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ARLINGTON, Va. (10/26/09) - More than 300 Puerto Rico National Guardsmen responded to a massive fire that burned throughout much of the weekend at the Caribbean Petroleum Corporation’s refinery near San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Army Maj. Gen. Antonio J. Vicens-Gonzalez, the adjutant general of Puerto Rico, was appointed by the governor to serve as the incident commander. He was responsible for coordinating the response efforts by local first responders as well as the military.

Members of the Army Guard’s 215th Firefighting Team and the Puerto Rico Air National Guard worked with local firefighters to contain the blaze, said Army Lt. Col. Millie Rosa, a public affairs officer with the Puerto Rico National Guard.

Puerto Rico’s 22nd Civil Support Team worked with the 23rd Civil Support Team from the Virgin Islands National Guard to monitor air quality in and around the incident site.

Representatives from the local government and response agencies were also flown over the fires in UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from the Puerto Army National Guard.

According to reports, more than 14 fuel tanks have been damaged or destroyed in the blaze and more than 300 residents in the surrounding areas were evacuated. 

As of today, the blaze has been extinguished, according to National Guard Bureau reports. Most National Guard personnel are scheduled to be released from duty today, however, many will remain on duty to assist with clean-up operations.

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