Smoke and Flame:A Big Problem at Martinez Refinery

On a Saturday afternoon in Martinez, a leak in a refinery led to a massive explosion and a huge fire. The fire burned fiercely and sent dark smoke across Martinez, Pacheco, and Clyde. The refinery is known for having a lot of problems, so maybe this shouldn't have been a surprise. Luckily, all employees were safe, and only three had minor injuries. The fire was intense, burning through the sky and leaving black smoke in its wake. The cause of the leak wasn't clear, but it involved hydrocarbons, which are a type of fuel. Officials were still trying to figure out what was in the smoke and how dangerous it was. Firefighters had a tough time finding the source of the flames, but they eventually got control of the fire. The refinery's employees were evacuated and gathered nearby. The fire was so big that it sent flames shooting 200 feet into the air. Employees were evacuated and gathered on Pacheco Boulevard, near the facility. The Contra Costa Health Services department issued a Level 3 alert, which meant people in certain parts of Martinez had to stay inside. This alert was in effect from Mountain View Drive to Vine Hill Road and Avon Way, all the way to the Benicia Bridge. The alert was lifted around 9:15 p. m. , but a health advisory remained. The fire caused some major traffic issues. Shell Avenue was closed to all traffic, and the Marina Vista Avenue on- and off-ramps to and from Interstate 680 were shut down in both directions. However, the freeway remained open. Fire crews from Chevron and Coast Guard units were also on the scene. The refinery had faced several issues in the past year, including unplanned flaring, an accidental release of coke dust, and a legal dispute with county officials. The refinery had agreed to use a continuous monitoring system to comply with air-quality standards. The refinery's priority was to protect citizens and first responders. The refinery sent out an alert around 2 p. m. warning about a "public health advisory" and suggested that people with respiratory issues should be careful.