Update, 3:00 p.m. Sunday: Officials with the Martinez Refining Co. say they’re investigating whether a leak that occurred during maintenance at the refinery may have contributed to the huge fire that ignited on Saturday.
As of 11:00 a.m. Sunday, Contra Costa County officials said the fire was almost entirely extinguished. The fire burned for hours, sending plumes of black smoke into the air and leading to a shelter-in-place alert for residents nearby.
That alert was lifted Saturday night. An advisory remains in effect recommending people with respiratory sensitivities continue to stay inside.
Regional and county regulators are also investigating the fire.
Update, 10 a.m. Sunday: Bay Area air regulators are investigating a fire at the Martinez Refinery that ignited Saturday, causing public health officials to issue a shelter-in-place alert for nearby residents.
The alert was lifted Saturday night, but a health advisory remains in effect. Public health officials advise people with respiratory sensitivities to consider remaining indoors until that is lifted.
The Bay Area Air District began receiving complaints of odors around 10:45 a.m. Saturday, according to an incident report. The Contra Costa County health department issued a shelter-in-place alert hours later.
“The concerns we are most worried about would be severe exposures that cause respiratory distress, lung distress, shortness of breath, or cardiac distress,” said Contra Costa County deputy health officer Sara Levin. “Should you experience any chest pain, shortness of breath, please do not hesitate to dial 911 and get emergency care.”
The fire is still burning, but in a statement, company officials said it is “under their control,” adding that flaring could continue as a safety measure and residual smoke may continue to be visible.
Update, 10 p.m. Saturday: A shelter-in-place alert has been lifted for parts of Martinez north of the Martinez Refining Company’s refinery, as well as parts of the nearby communities of Pacheco and Clyde, according to Contra Costa County public health officials.
The company reported the fire around 1:45 p.m. Saturday, sending thick black plumes of smoke into the air for hours.
In a Saturday night post on the company’s Facebook page, officials said firefighters had made “significant progress on the fire at the refinery.”
Public health officials said a lesser advisory for the same areas remains in effect, warning that individuals with respiratory sensitivities may experience irritation from smoke in the air.
Update, 9 p.m. Saturday: Contra Costa County officials said Saturday evening that the fire at the Martinez Refining Company’s facility continues to burn despite efforts to extinguish it that have gone on for hours.
In a press conference around 7 p.m. Saturday, officials said, so far, they have been unable to shut off the pipes or “lines” carrying chemicals as part of the refining process that are feeding the fire.
Officials said there had been a total of six people treated as a result of the fire. Three were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, and three were released at the scene.
A shelter-in-place warning remains in effect for parts of Martinez north of the refinery due to impacts from smoke. Sirens will continue to go off in the area every half hour until the incident has ended.