Husky Energy uses its newsroom to address refinery explosion

When an accident caused an explosion at a Wisconsin facility, the energy firm turned to Twitter and its own online newsroom to share updates and respond to public queries.

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Even old-school crises call for modern tools to execute an effective response.

In an oil refinery explosion near Superior, Wisconsin that could have been much worse, many were counting their blessings after no fatalities were reported at the facility and an evacuation order was lifted at 6 a.m. Friday morning.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel wrote:

At least 20 people were injured and thousands evacuated when explosions rocked a northern Wisconsin refinery Thursday.

The fire was extinguished shortly before 7 p.m. Thursday and evacuation order was lifted about 6 a.m. Friday.

The organization that owns the refinery, Canadian-based Husky Energy, received praise for how involved it was in responding to the incident.

The Journal-Sentinel continued:

“The refinery is a very involved business, it’s just not what’s burning but everything that’s around it,” said Superior Fire Battalion Chief Scott Gordon. “We want to make sure we’re doing it safely.”

How were Husky’s communications teams able to get the word out quickly? They turned to Twitter and their own online newsroom.

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