Updated, 4 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 2
MARTINEZ, CA — A shelter-in-place order was lifted at 9:30 p.m. Saturday after a refinery fire in Martinez, officials said.
Six people were injured in the fire at Martinez Refining Company, Battalion Chief Bob Atlas of the Contra Costa Fire Department said in an 8:30 p.m. update. Two people were treated on-site at the refinery and four were taken to hospitals, he said. He did not have specifics about the injuries.
Contra Costa Health Services issued the shelter-in-place order at 4:49 p.m., saying, "Residents in portions of Martinez, north of the refinery should shelter in place due to impacts from smoke. Please go inside, close all windows and doors, turn off all heaters, air conditioners and fans. If not using the fireplace, close fireplace dampers and vents, and cover cracks around doors and windows with tape or damp towels." Updated emergency information can be found on the health department's website.
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Atlas said visible flames had been significantly reduced and firefighters were using infrared technology and accoustic technology to pinpoint leaks and turn off valves to help extinguish the fire.
Shanelle Scales-Preston, Contra Costa County District 5 supervisor, said the news that the fire was moving toward being extinguished was positive and said the response was a countywide effort with help from fire companies from multiple cities.
"My hat's off to everyone who came out today to make sure everyone in this community was safe," she said.
There also was assistance provided by other refineries in the area, including Valero, Phillips 66, and Chevron.
The fire, which was reported about 1:40 p.m., KRON4 reported, sent large plumes of smoke across the area, prompting first a Level 2 health advisory, and later the shelter-in-place.
A leak of hydrocarbons ignited the fire, the San Jose Mercury News reported. The exact cause had not yet been determined Saturday night, the report said.
The Contra Costa Sheriff's Office issued a public health advisory for parts of Pacheco and Martinez that said: "An incident at the Martinez Refining Company could affect individuals with respiratory sensitivities. Most people will not be affected. 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."
Witnesses told the East Bay Times that flames rose 200 feet in the air and that black clouds of smoke were moving east with the wind.
The refining company said it reported the incident as a Level 2 notification, the East Bay Times, report said.