MARTINEZ — Fireplace crews rushed to a refinery in Martinez on Saturday to struggle a large hearth that will have been accompanied by an explosion, officers stated.
Crews from the Contra Costa County Fireplace Safety District rushed to the Martinez Refining Firm about 1:40 p.m., spokesperson Fireplace Prevention Capt. Ted Leach stated. He added that it was unclear what they have been dealing with, as a result of crews initially struggled to make entry to the refinery.
Firefighters have been staging within the space of Shell Avenue and Marina Vista Avenue, Leach stated.
Witnesses to the scene reported an explosion, however hearth officers weren’t instantly in a position to affirm {that a} blast had taken place.
Black smoke might be seen pouring from the power round 2 p.m. Saturday, and flames shot up from a flaring tower on the property.
Public well being officers issued an advisory on the county’s well being providers website online that an “incident” Saturday on the Martinez Refining Firm may have an effect on people with respiratory points.
“Most people will not be affected,” the advisory learn. “Eye, skin, nose or throat irritation may be possible for some people in the affected area. If people experience any irritation, advise them to go inside and rinse any irritated area of their body with water.”
The MRC facility has confronted quite a lot of points within the final yr, together with a number of incidents of unplanned flaring, an unintentional launch of coke mud, and an settlement to settle a authorized dispute with county officers by utilizing a steady monitoring system to make sure their compliance with air-quality requirements.
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Initially Revealed: February 1, 2025 at 2:17 PM PST
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