The blaze erupted after a hydrocarbon leak triggered an explosion, local media outlet Mercury News reported. The fire was “burning ferociously,” with an unknown amount of fuel remaining, the news site cited Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Bob Atlas as saying. He added that the smoke would become toxic at some point, RT reported.
A video shared on social media shows the production facility operated by Martinez Refining Company on fire with plumes of black smoke swirling across neighboring areas.
The company said in a statement that a total of six injuries have been recorded, adding that four people were transported away from the scene, and two were treated on site and released.
Martinez Refining Company reported the fire at 1:47pm local time, stressing that it may affect people with respiratory issues in nearby neighborhoods. The company added that its HAZMAT team is investigating whether there will be community health impacts.
The local health authorities later said that air quality in areas near the refining facility has improved, adding that a Public Health Advisory remained for Martinez, parts of Pacheco, and Clyde as of 2:45pm.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported, citing the state’s Office of Emergency Services, that the fire resulted in the release of at least 500 pounds (227kg) of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. Contra Costa said, as cited by the news outlet, that the refinery, which is run by PBF Energy, will be required to produce a report analyzing the root causes of the fire in accordance with Martinez’s Industrial Safety Ordinance.