A minor incident at United Refining Co. earlier this week alarmed some residents on the city’s east side. Officials at the company say an equipment malfunction at its refinery on Tuesday on 15 Bradley St. was quickly resolved.

John R. Wagner, executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for United Refining noted that ” any silica material that was released for a short time is not dangerous to health and is readily removed with water and common cleaning supplies. All necessary notifications were made to environmental and local emergency management authorities at the time of the occurrence.”

Residents in the area of the refinery made calls to the Times Observer out of concern. Most said the sediment was white or gray and began coating homes and cars.

Wagner said calls to the refinery were answered with reassurances that there was no danger.

A spill in April 2022 was the last reported issue at the location. Multiple agencies responded to the event on that evening that took about 48 hours to clean up.