The 2 surviving Tesoro workers injured in an explosion and fire on Friday are improving, according to a statement Monday by Tesoro Senior Vice-President Lynn Westfall. He said both workers are scheduled for skin replacement surgery, which he said "we take as a hopeful sign of their stability."
Westfall said 34-year-old Matt Gumbel and 41-year-old Lew Janz remain in critical condition, but a spokesperson for Harborview Medical Center, where the two are in the intensive care unit, said Gumbel has been upgraded from critical while Janz remains critical.
Five of their co-workers died in the explosion and fire or within several hours of it last Friday.
Meanwhile, Westfall said the investigation of the incident is in its very early planning stage and he warned against quickly learning exactly what happened. "It would not be unusual for it to be more than a year before conclusions can be drawn. Agencies and the company are coordinating the need for data gathering, analysis, and personnel. We would not expect there to be meaningful updates on this for some time."
Mayor Dean Maxwell said he has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff until sunset, April 12, as "a mark of respect honorling the victims of the tragedy." He said "Our Community's thoughts and prayers are with the employees, families, and coworkers affected by the tragic events" at the refiner on Friday.
Tesoro is providing grief counseling and support to all affected Tesoro employees and their families, regardless of their location. They also are providing counseling through their Employee Assistance Program 24 hours a day, seven days week at (888) 456-1324.
Tesoro said they are establishing a memorial fund for those impacted by this tragedy that will be available to anyone who wishes to contribute. For those who would like to send cards or letters of sympathy, they can be addressed to the Anacortes Refinery, P.O. Box 700, Anacortes, Washington, 98221, and Tesoro says they will see that they are delivered to the families in need.