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Historic U.S. Fires, 1871-2003: McKee Refinery

Fires that had lasting impact

19 firefighters killed

The fourth largest loss of firefighter lives in U.S. history, the McKee Refinery Fire occurred when a tank containing about 500,000 gallons of pentane and hexane caught fire and eventually ruptured causing a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE).

How it happens