A large hydrocarbon fire at the Martinez Refining Company was brought under control just after midnight Sunday after raging for more than 10 hours, forcing residents north of the refinery to shelter in place.
A statement from the refinery said continued residual smoke and flaring, which is part of a refinery’s system of burning off excess combustible gases, is expected.
“We apologize to our community for the disruption and concern we have caused,” the statement says.
According to the Bay Air Quality District’s incident report, the district began receiving complaints of chemical and refinery odors at 10:45 a.m. Saturday.
At 12:20 p.m. the issue was described as “industrial burning” and “flaring,” and at 1:45 p.m. it was determined that there was a fire in the Light Oil Processing (LOP) area of the refinery.
While the county’s shelter-in-place order was lifted Saturday night, a public health advisory remains in effect for Martinez, parts of Pacheco and Clyde. That means people with respiratory issues should consider remaining indoors until the health advisory is lifted. (For an in-depth look at how refineries and other sources impact Contra Costa County see Richmondside’s air pollution series.)
Contra Costa Health’s hazardous materials division will reassess whether the health advisory is necessary this morning.
The company has set up a claims line at 800-542-7113. You can also make inquiries at 925-313-3601.
Shelter-in-place order issued on Saturday
Contra Costa Health Services issued a shelter-in-place alert for neighborhoods north of the Martinez Refining Company at 4:49 p.m. Saturday due to the heavy smoke from the fire, which erupted several hours earlier.
Contra Costa County Deputy Health Officer Dr. Sara Levin said at a Saturday night press briefing that hydrocarbon exposure can cause symptoms including burning eyes, burning nasal passages, sore throat, dizziness and headache. In severe cases, it can cause heart and lung problems, and anyone who experiences chest pain or shortness of breath should call 911.
Residents living north of the refinery were told to continue sheltering in place until the community warning siren, which has been sounding off every 30 minutes, were turned off, which they had been as of Sunday morning.
The shelter-in-place, which the city Richmond said did not impact the Richmond area, was proceeded by a 1:50 p.m. public health advisory for Martinez and Pacheco, with a text alert stating that “an incident” at the refinery could affect individuals with respiratory sensitivities, causing eye, skin, nose or throat issues.
at the Martinez Refining Company. Credit: Richmondside staff
Residents who notice any issues are advised to “go inside and rinse any irritated area of their body with water.” Warnings were sent out by text and phone calls telling those in the area to stay off their phones unless it’s a life-threatening emergency.
News and social media reports showed flames and black clouds of smoke billowing from the refinery. A statement posted on Facebook by the company said three people at the refinery were taken to a hospital and one was treated and released. At the evening press briefing it was stated that six people were treated for minor injuries, and all have been released.
A shelter-in-place means residents should stay indoors, close all windows, turn off devices such as heaters and fans and close fireplace dampers and vents.
The refinery, located at 3495 Pacheco Blvd., is a 157,000 barrel-per-day, dual-coking refinery located on an 860-acre site, according to the company. It’s described as one of the most complex refineries in the United States.
For more information go to www.cchealth.org or www.cwsalerts.com.
We will update this story as further details become available.
