Six employees have been injured on account of a hearth at California’s Martinez Refining Firm
A large fireplace broke out at a refinery in Martinez, California on Saturday, prompting a shelter-in-place order for surrounding neighborhoods as a consequence of considerations about air high quality. The order has since been lifted.
The blaze erupted after a hydrocarbon leak triggered an an explosion, native media outlet Mercury Information reported. The fireplace was “burning ferociously,” with an unknown quantity of gas remaining, the information web site cited Contra Costa County Hearth Safety District Battalion Chief Bob Atlas as saying. He added that the smoke would grow to be poisonous sooner or later.
A video shared on social media reveals the manufacturing facility operated by Martinez Refining Firm on fireplace with plumes of black smoke swirling throughout neighboring areas.
The corporate mentioned in an announcement {that a} complete of six accidents have been recorded, including that 4 individuals had been transported away from the scene, and two had been handled on web site and launched.
Sirens blaring right here in Martinez because the Refinery right here has been on fireplace for hours.Native air high quality alerts are points for Martinez, Pacheco and Clyde pic.twitter.com/yzyDEtxTdN
— Jack Molmud (@jmolmud) February 2, 2025
Martinez Refining Firm reported the hearth at 1:47pm native time, stressing that it might have an effect on individuals with respiratory points in close by neighborhoods. The corporate added that its HAZMAT staff is investigating whether or not there might be neighborhood well being impacts.
The native well being authorities later mentioned that air high quality in areas close to the refining facility has improved, including {that a} Public Well being Advisory remained for Martinez, components of Pacheco, and Clyde as of two:45pm.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported, citing the state’s Workplace of Emergency Companies, that the hearth resulted within the launch of at the very least 500 kilos (227kg) of sulfur dioxide into the environment. Contra Costa mentioned, as cited by the information outlet, that the refinery, which is run by PBF Power, might be required to supply a report analyzing the foundation causes of the hearth in accordance with Martinez’s Industrial Security Ordinance.
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