Refinery fire forces residents indoors
Officials warn of toxic smoke
SAN FRANCISCO – Officials fearing toxic smoke told residents in the San Francisco Bay Area to stay indoors Monday evening as a fire at a Chevron refinery released black plumes over the Richmond plant.
The fire broke out at 6:15 p.m. Monday, sending large flames with thick black smoke out of at least two refinery stacks and over Richmond and San Pablo, about 10 miles northeast of San Francisco.
The fire started in a process unit at the refinery, officials said. One employee suffered a minor injury, a Chevron Corp. statement said.
Residents of Richmond, San Pablo and the unincorporated community of North Richmond were being advised to “shelter in place,” meaning they should not only stay inside, but should also turn off heaters, air conditioners and fans, and cover cracks around doors with tape or damp towels.
“In this smoke there can also be all kind of byproducts that can be toxic,” said Randy Sawyer, the chief environmental and hazardous materials officer for the agency.
Flames appeared to have died down late Monday, but smoke continued to pour out of facility. It was not known when the fire would be under control.
The agency had four teams of inspectors in the field taking readings of the air quality, Sawyer said.
A statement released by Chevron late Monday said the cause of the fire had not been determined.