Crime & Safety

Update: Fire At Richmond Chevron Refinery

A fire at the Chevron refinery in Richmond Monday night spewed a huge plume visible across the Bay Area and prompted shelter-in-place warnings. Many residents went to hospitals in San Pablo and Richmond for treatment of breathing difficulties.

Updated Tuesday morning, hospitalizations.

A large fire erupted at the Chevron refinery around 6:40 p.m. Monday in Richmond, spewing a huge plume visible for miles and prompting authorities to issue a shelter-in-place warning.

Flames were seen shooting out of at least two towers at the refinery.

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A large number of people flocked to Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo and Kaiser hospital in Richmond with breathing problems. See updates her on El Cerrito Patch.

Contra Costa Health Services activated its emergency phone notification system and issued a shelter-in-place warning for Richmond, North Richmond and San Pablo. Residents were urged to remain indoors, and to close all windows and doors and seal any cracks to protect the interior from outside air. 

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A refinery spokeswoman told KCBS that the fire erupted in the 4 crude unit and that no refinery workers had been injured.

KTVU reported that officials have issued a level-3 community warning, meaning that the fire can cause eye, skin, nose or respiratory irritation.

Randy Sawyer of Contra Costa Health Services said the fire was reported about 6:40 p.m., while the refinery fire department put the time about 6:30 p.m., according to KTVU.

The Richmond BART station was closed, several news sources reported.

Officials said there was no explosion and there is a single fire and a single flare that is going off to burn off excess oil or fuel, KTVU said.

A KTVU reporter on scene said she heard alarms, a loud boom and saw a large black plume of smoke and flames.

Hundreds of people had stopped on nearby Interstate 580 to take photos and videos, largely with cell phones, according to KCBS.


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