BP Whiting Refinery alerts community it is undergoing maintenance

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The BP Whiting Refinery on the lakefront in parts of Whiting, East Chicago and Hammond, is advising area residents that it's doing maintenance that may give the appearance that something's wrong.

A notice from BP says the maintenance work could cause “flaring that the nearby community may see.” And it says there will be an increase in vehicle traffic.

This can put area residents on edge.

In the past they've dealt with the release of toxic vapors and smoke that frightened some residents.

“I spoke to a woman who was very upset. Dogs were begging to come inside. Her 90-year-old mother couldn't make it up the stairs. She was afraid to even turn on the gas stove,” said Susan Thomas with an environmental group.

The company says plans are in place “to minimize the impact.” It adds that “the safety of our people, the community and the environment will be our top priorities as we complete this work."

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